|
Call Your Senator Now: Don’t Undermine Obama’s Middle East Policies Dear Friend of Brit Tzedek,
This morning Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and James Risch (R-ID) began circulation of a “Dear Colleague” letter that questions – and ultimately undermines – the Obama Administration’s approach to Middle East peace. Your Senator needs to hear from you today. What is in the letter from Senators Bayh and Risch? Briefly, it rightly praises Israel’s recent actions, including the dismantling of roadblocks in the West Bank and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s public support of a two-state solution. Further, it calls on Arab leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process by taking concrete actions such as ending the Arab League Boycott of Israel and refusing to allow propaganda campaigns that demonize Israel and Jews. There is nothing wrong with calling on all parties in the Middle East – Israelis, Palestinians, the Arab States, and the international community – to step up to the plate. This is, in fact, President Obama’s approach. He has, for instance, already urged the Arab states to take the specific steps in the Bayh-Risch letter in exchange for Israeli concessions. The problem with the Bayh-Risch letter is what is intentionally left out: the need for a complete Israeli settlement freeze to help move the peace process forward. What is left out is any mention of Israel’s recent approval of a controversial settlement project in the heart of a Palestinian neighborhood of East Jerusalem, a project on hold for more than 20 years in compliance with Israel’s legal obligations. Please call now and request that your Senator refrain from signing the letter if and until it is revised to reflect the wisdom of the Obama Administration’s approach – pressing for normalization of relations by Arab countries while simultaneously pressing Israel to move on a settlement freeze. The authors of this Dear Colleague letter send a clear message to President Obama that they don’t agree with this balanced approach. We must let our Senators know that we’ve got the President’s back. Use our script to call your Senator immediately. L’shalom, Sue Swartz, Chair of Advocacy Deepa Domansky, Washington Liaison and Advocacy Coordinator PS. Please share this Action Alert with family, friends, and
colleagues (and if you forward to friends in a different
Congressional district, just have them call (202)
224-3121 to ask for their local Representative and
Senators).
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, The Jewish Alliance
for Justice and Peace
Become a member: Help build our grassroots base of constituents. Share this message: Tell others about Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. Receive regular updates: Get weekly messages from Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. More information: Click to see our website. Subscribe to the Daily Digest: Receive daily news updates about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
|
