June 23, 2006

Contact: Joanne T. Witt, Chair Houston Chapter Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, 713.868.4186

(Washington, DC) On June 20, House Representative Shelia Jackson-Lee met in her Washington offices with Joanne Witt chairperson of the Houston Chapter of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, America’s largest pro-Israel, pro-Peace Jewish grassroots organization. Witt was part of a four-member Texas delegation that visited Capitol Hill during Brit Tzedek’s Advocacy Days, June 18-20, holding meetings in congressional offices representing 24 states.

Witt said: “My meeting was very productive and I was told by Representative Jackson-Lee that she is anxious and open to hear from Jews who are both committed to Israel’s well-being and to the peace process.”

Brit Tzedek’s advocates urged their senators and representatives to take the following actions:

1. Encourage serious U.S. diplomatic engagement with moderate Palestinian leaders, such as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.


2. Once the Senate version of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorist Act passes, support adoption of its language in conference committee. The Senate resolution differentiates more clearly between Palestinian moderates and terrorists and establishes a $20 million “Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Reconciliation, and Democracy” fund.


3. Support an increase in aid to the Palestinian people, rather than the government, to prevent any worsening of the existing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories; aid should not be administered by any Hamas-controlled entity.


4. Oppose unilateral steps by Israel that will prejudice any future peace process or cause further deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations.