2009; Jan-Feb

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Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.
Governor
State of Utah
Office of the Governor
Salt Lake City, Utah
84114-2220
Gary R. Herbert
Lieutenant Governor
News Release
January 2, 2009
Contact: Lisa Roskelley
Governor's Spokeswoman
Office (801) 538-1503 Cell (801) 560-0137
Governor Huntsman, other western governors call for cease-fire
Salt Lake City - Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Chair of the Western Governors' Association,
was joined by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Idaho
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter in issuing the following joint
statement regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
O
C
The recent increase in hostilities between Israel and Hamas is
evidence that lasting peace in the region is an elusive goal. The
deaths of innocent civilians on both sides of the border as a result of
the hostilities are proof that we must continue to work toward peace,
rather than resolving our disputes through aggression.
We support the right of Israel to defend itself from aggressors and to
ensure the peace and prosperity of its citizens.
We therefore, are calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities
between Israel and Hamas and the establishment of a lasting and
meaningful cease-fire. For this process to begin, Hamas must end its
series of rocket attacks into Israeli sovereign land. The two sides
must then work together in good faith to work toward peace in the
region.
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