Americans For Peace Now (APN) and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom (BTvS) have issued an immediate "action alert" to their supporters and all other like-minded "pro-Israel, pro-peace" people. Today, according to APN and BTvS, thousands of "pro-Israel" supporters will be on Capitol Hill claiming to speak for all Americans, especially American Jews. Since the views of these citizens, generally, do not reflect the views of APN and BTvS members or the majority of American Jews, it is important that Congress hear from those people who support President Obama's Middle East diplomatic agenda and a just resolution of the Israel/Palestine conflict.
Americans For Peace Now and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom are asking people to talk to their elected officials, today, and tell them:
- I am calling as someone who believes in Israel and believes in peace.
- Please support the Obama Administration’s peace efforts in the Middle East.
- Please support the President’s supplemental budget request, which includes vital aid for the Palestinians and a provision to permit responsible U.S. engagement with a Palestinian national unity government. This is a welcome step. U.S. relations with a Palestinian unity government should be determined on the basis of the positions taken by that government and the strategic interests of the U.S.
- Please reject efforts to promote new Iran sanctions legislation, or efforts to impose any artificial deadlines for ending diplomacy with Iran. Do not co-sponsor S. 908 or HR 2194. President Obama is committed to a new approach to address the challenge posed by Iran, an approach based on high-level diplomatic engagement without preconditions or artificial timelines. The president embarks on this course with massive sanctions already in place. Some, however, are pushing for new sanctions even before the president’s new strategy has been tried. New legislation, including S. 908 and HR 2194, risk sending the message that Congress does not support the president’s efforts on Iran. (APN's letter to Congress against these bills is here)
For those interested, please call your elected officals through the toll-free Capitol switchboard, (800)828-0498 or (877)762-8762. If you are not sure who your representatives are, you can find out through the House and Senate websites. Afterwards, please visit the APN and BTvS Action Alerts, follow their instructions, and give them feedback information regarding your call.
Hat Tip: Noam Shelef of APN and Sue Swartz of BTvS