Anne W. Patterson: “Hamas is a designated terrorist organization and it is illegal for Americans or American funding to engage in that.”

We are trying to support the moderate opposition.

We remain optimistic because in Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas, we believe we have two leaders who are serious about pursuing peace.

I don't see any real alternative to U.S. policy except to push ahead on these objectives.

The United States is fully committed to helping Israel and the Palestinians negotiate a final status resolution to their conflict.