Tell Bush: Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Now!

Dear Friend of Brit Tzedek,

In the past week, Palestinian militants fired over 700 rockets into Israel -- killing one father of four, wounding many, and reaching as far as the city of Ashkelon -- and the Israeli military engaged in its largest operation in Gaza in two years, leaving over 100 Palestinians killed, including many civilians and children.

To prevent the violence from escalating even further, the U.S. must diplomatically intervene and call for a Hamas-Israel ceasefire now. Contact President Bush today!

Israel, like any country, has the right to self-defense. However, the strategy of military raids, coupled with the ongoing blockade on Gaza's borders, is not achieving its goal of securing Israel or undercutting Hamas.

There is one solution yet untried: a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

A recent poll of Israelis found that 64% support direct talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and the return of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, and several Israeli military leaders have advocated exploring such talks, including former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy, former head of the Shin Bet Ami Ayalon, and former defense minister Shaul Mofaz.

A ceasefire is the only solution that has the potential to stop the Qassam rockets, prevent further IDF operations within Gaza, and end the terrible cycle of bloodshed.

As recently as this weekend, Hamas restated its desire for a truce with Israel, but as of yet, Israel has ignored the offer. The U.S. should encourage Israel to pursue ceasefire talks with Hamas (provided that such an agreement is binding on all militant groups), whether through back-channel talks, a neutral third party, or other means of indirect diplomacy.

To be successful in the long-term, a ceasefire must be followed by sustained U.S. engagement to maintain progress on Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas. The blockade on Gaza must be lifted, and the U.S. must work with the international community to reopen Gaza's border crossings so as to permit the influx of humanitarian aid and supplies, while curbing the smuggling of weapons from Egypt.

The U.S. can no longer stand on the sidelines as chaos builds in and around Gaza. President Bush needs to hear from American Jews who recognize that a ceasefire is in Israel's best interests.

B'shalom,

Sue Swartz, Chair of Advocacy
Rob Levy, Washington Representative

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