American Jews Want Active U.S. Engagement in MidEast Peace Process

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Monday March 23, 2009 · 6:56 PM PDT

2009/03/23 · 18:56

"Overall, this poll demonstrates that Jewish Americans take very sophisticated and nuanced positions when it comes to American policy toward the Middle East. While American Jews deeply support Israel, they recognize how vital peace is for Israeli and American interests, and are ready for the U.S. to play an active and engaged role in ending the Middle East conflict. While some of the louder voices from the American Jewish community focus solely on the need to confront Iran, on isolating Hamas or on military aspects of the conflict - Amercian Jews as a whole understand that diplomatic engagement with Iran or with a unified Palestinian government including Hamas are essential Israeli and American interests." - Jeremy Ben-Ami, Executive Director of J Street, 3/23/09

Today, J Street, the liberal political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement, released a new poll which revealed strong support among American Jews for active engagement in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and for the Obama Administration's diplomatic activity in the greater Middle East.

rbguy

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Saturday March 21, 2009 · 6:45 PM PDT

2009/03/21 · 18:45

On Thursday March 5th, Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University and Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, delivered a policy brief titled "Palestine and Israel: Time For Plan B". Ghaith Al-Omari of the American Task Force On Palestine and Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group were included at this presentation to offer their opinions.

My previous diary discussed the paper in detail. Below the fold is a summary of the paper, as well as the comments from the panelists. (The transcript is here and the video is here)

rbguy

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Wednesday March 18, 2009 · 7:29 PM PDT

2009/03/18 · 19:29

"Acknowledging and working with existing realities must not, however, mean accepting them as permanent. The existing situation is not only short on security and justice; it is also unstable. Things can—and might well—get worse unless the United States and other outside actors couple a realistic view of the present with a serious effort to push for a more promising future. But for the present, they should stop banging their heads against the obstacles to an immediate and comprehensive solution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Instead, it is time for Plan B." - Professor Nathan Brown 2/09

At the end of February, Nathan Brown, a Professor of Politcal Science and International Affairs at George Washington University and a Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace, issued a policy brief titled "Palestine and Israel: Time For Plan B". Professor Brown believes that negotiations over a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict have reached a dead end, and international diplomacy will need to change in order to resolve the conflict.

rbguy

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Thursday March 12, 2009 · 7:23 PM PDT

2009/03/12 · 19:23

Late last week, Senator Jon Kyl Of Arizona, the Minority Whip, offered several amendments to the Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 1105). One of these amendments, S.A. 629, stated "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to resettle Palestinians from Gaza into the United States." Besides the fact that it was based on a false internet rumor, this amendment was an blatant example of bigotry and xenophobia.

On Monday, March 9th, Senators John Kerry of Massachusetts and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, arose in the Senate chamber to speak out against this ill-conceived amendment. Senator Kerry, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Leahy, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke eloquently in defense of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as our basic democratic principles.

rbguy

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Tuesday March 10, 2009 · 7:04 PM PDT

2009/03/10 · 19:04

On Sunday, March 8th, Congressman Gary Ackerman gave a policy briefing to constituents at a Long Island synagogue. The Democratic lawmaker represents the 5th Congressional District of New York, encompassing the North Shore of Queens (New York City) and parts of Nassau County (Long Island). Representative Ackerman is presently serving his 14th term in the House, where he is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Chairperson of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. The event, sponsored by UJA Federation-New York's Long Island Chapter, allowed Rep. Ackerman to discuss his feelings about the current state of affairs in Israel, Palestine, and the greater Middle East.

Congressman Ackerman spoke about the enormous regional influence of Iran, Iran's effect on regional stability, the narrowing of power within the governmental and non-governmental entities in the Middle East, and the recent war in Gaza and Southern Israel.

rbguy

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Saturday March 07, 2009 · 9:43 AM PST

2009/03/07 · 09:43

On Monday, the Senate will consider and vote on 13 amendments to HR 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act. Three of the amendments, introduced by Senator John Kyl of Arizona, are related to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Democratic leadership, most likely, assumes that there are enough votes to defeat these measures, but many Senators would have to use significant political capital to oppose them. On the other hand, if Senators are politcially forced into approving these measures, then the entire bill will be destroyed, since Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that the House will not take up an amended Omnibus.

As the Minority Whip, the second highest ranking Senate Republican, John Kyl has decided to use his powerful position to put his personal and foreign policy beliefs ahead of the needs of the American people, the image of America in the international community, and important U.S. international political relationships. Below the jump, I would like to describe these amendments, provide analysis, and discuss ways for people to stop these measures from derailing an important and vital piece of legislation.

rbguy

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Thursday March 05, 2009 · 8:38 PM PST

2009/03/05 · 20:38

"On my recent trip to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, The West Bank, and Gaza, I felt the frustration and hunger of people on all sides who have grown tired of broken promises, tired of peace talks that lead to more war, tired of more war that leads to more desperation and more cynicism."

"We have reached a new moment in an old conflict- a conflict that has confounded leaders and diplomats for decades and which to many seems more intractable today than at any time in recent memory. I am convinced that despite Palestinian divisions, renewed outbreak of war, continued firing of rockets from Gaza, and Israel's political turns, this can actually be a moment of opportunity." - John Kerry 3/4/09

On March 4th, the Saban Center at the Brookings Institute hosted Senator John Kerry, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for a discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing the Obama Administration in the Middle East. The Senator has recently returned from a fact finding mission to the Middle East. The five-term Senator from Massachusetts, focused his remarks on the way forward in the Middle East peace process.

rbguy

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Wednesday March 04, 2009 · 7:58 PM PST

2009/03/04 · 19:58

Over the last several weeks, Congressmembers Brian Baird (WA-03), Donna Edwards (MD-04), and Keith Ellison (MN-05) have tried to move away from the status-quo regarding the Israel - Palestine conflict. Throught their words, and their actions, these three Representatives are challenging the traditional American-Middle East establishment. I would like to describe who they are, what they are doing, and find ways for people looking for new leadership in Washington to support these officials.

"The first and most urgent priority must be helping the people in Gaza. At the same time, the rocket attacks against Israeli cities must stop immediately. Just as the people of Gaza should not be subject to what they have experienced the Israeli civilians should not have to live in fear of constant and indiscriminate rocketing. The entire region and the international community must recommit itself to making the difficult but necessary changes to bring about lasting and just peace and security for the region. President Obama has made important and encouraging initiatives, now it is up to leaders and citizens here to move forward toward that shared goal"- Brian Baird and Keith Ellison 2/19/09,

rbguy

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Monday March 02, 2009 · 7:37 PM PST

2009/03/02 · 19:37

On February 12, 2009, the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia held a hearing, "Gaza After The War: What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?". The following diaries describe what Congressmembers are publically hearing and saying regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

The previous entries have included the opening statements and testimony:
Part 1:Subcommittee members
Part 2:David Makovsky, Washington Institute For Near East Policy
Part 3:Dr. Ziad Asali, American Task Force On Palestine
Part 4:Dr. Michele Dunne, Carnegie Endowment For International Peace
Part 5:Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute
Part 6:Dr. Safa Rifka, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

rbguy

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Thursday February 26, 2009 · 8:02 PM PST

2009/02/26 · 20:02

On February 12, 2009, the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia held a hearing titled "Gaza After The War: What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?". I have written a series of diaries on this hearing in order to describe what Congressmembers are publically hearing and saying regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

The previous entries have included:
Part 1:Opening Statements from Subcommittee members
Part 2:Opening Statement of David Makovsky of the Washington Institute For Near East Policy
Part 3:Opening Statement of Dr. Ziad Asali of the American Task Force On Palestine
Part 4:Opening Statement of Dr. Michele Dunne of the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace
Part 5:Opening Statement of Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute

rbguy

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Wednesday February 25, 2009 · 6:38 PM PST

2009/02/25 · 18:38

"In words and deeds, we are showing the world that a new era of engagement has begun. For we know that America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America. We cannot shun the negotiating table, nor ignore the foes or forces that could do us harm. We are instead called to move forward with the sense of confidence and candor that serious times demand. To seek progress toward a secure and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors, we have appointed an envoy to sustain our effort. To meet the challenges of the 21st century –- from terrorism to nuclear proliferation; from pandemic disease to cyber-threats to crushing poverty -– we will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones, and use all elements of our national power.-President Obama 2/24/09

Secretary Clinton and Special Envoy Mitchell are heading to the Middle East for the March 2nd summit in Cairo to raise money for post war Gaza. There are two simple steps we can take to give them our support.

rbguy

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Tuesday February 24, 2009 · 8:16 PM PST

2009/02/24 · 20:16

The previous entries have included:
Part One: Statements from the Subcommittee members
Part Two:Statement from David Makovsky of the Washington Institute For Near East Policy
Part Three:Statement from Dr. Ziad Asali of the American Task Force On Palestine
Part Four:Statement from Dr. Michele Dunne of the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace

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American Jews Want Active U.S. Engagement in MidEast Peace Process

Palestine and Israel:Time For Plan B (Panel Discussion)

Palestine And Israel: Time For Plan B

Leahy and Kerry: Fighting Bigotry In The Senate Chamber

My Breakfast With Gary (Ackerman)

Stop John Kyl From Destroying The Omnibus

John Kerry: Restoring Leadership In The Middle East

Baird, Edwards, Ellison: Three Members Who Want A Just Middle East Peace

"Gaza After The War:What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?(Part 7)

"Gaza After The War: What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?" (Part 6)

Support Clinton and Mitchell for Middle East Peace

"Gaza After The War:What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?"(Part 5)