As you may know, the (admittedly vacillating) attempts by the Obama administration to make a stronger push towards real negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has come under attack, including a disengenous AIPAC-authored letter signed onto by about two-thirds of Congress.
In what I presume to be a response to all this there is now a letter circulating for signatories on Capitol Hill, led by Reps. Ron Kind (WI-3), Bill Delahunt (MA-10), David Price (NC-4), and Vic Snyder (AR-2), supports the President in his efforts to achieve a two-state solution because it is in the vital national security interests of both the United States and Israel.
You can email your member of Congress, asking them to sign on to this letter.
Congress and the White House need to know that many Americans support a stronger effort to push for serious negotiation leading to a real peace.
As J Street, the Pro-Israel Pro-Peace lobby, says:
It's getting hot out there.
Full-page ads in national newspapers spreading falsehoods about the President's balanced efforts.
The equivalent of the Tea Party Movement - on Israel and the Middle East - spreading rumor emails that falsely call the President anti-Israel, and worse.
Some members of Congress turning Israel into a political football in the hopes of sinking the President's Middle East peace efforts.
Congress is already a key political battleground on Israel and the Middle East. Far too often, the pro-Israel, pro-peace perspective gets drowned out by a well-organized, well-funded, vocal minority. Not this time.
A letter circulating right now for signatories on Capitol Hill, led by Reps. Ron Kind (WI-3), Bill Delahunt (MA-10), David Price (NC-4), and Vic Snyder (AR-2), supports the President in his efforts to achieve a two-state solution because it is in the vital national security interests of both the United States and Israel.
Click here to write your member of Congress right now.
This Congressional letter, circulating now for signatures, gives members of Congress an opportunity to endorse what General David Petraeus, Commander of United States Central Command, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak have said about the importance of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to both American and Israeli national security interests.
The letter reads, in part:
"Distinguished leaders with decades of military service in both the United States and Israel have concluded that the continued lack of resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict threatens the security interests of both countries..."
"As legislators tasked with safeguarding America's security - and as friends of Israel committed to our ally's survival and prosperity - we share the views of these decorated military leaders and urge you to continue your strong efforts to bring U.S. leadership to bear in moving the parties toward a negotiated two-state solution. A just and sustainable end to this conflict will not only secure Israel's future as a democratic, Jewish homeland - it will also enhance our ability to confront the threats posed by Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other actors in the Middle East, and advance critical U.S. security interests in the region more broadly."
If the last month of sustained political attacks from the status quo on President Obama over his balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is any indication, we have the fight of our lives on our hands.
Achieving a two-state solution is going to require that this movement encourage our members of Congress to stand up strong to an unsustainable and dangerous status quo.
Click here to write your member of Congress right now.
For some on the left this may not seem like much, but it is important push back to campaign against the steps the Obama administrations seems to be trying to take. It is a real problem when even pretty good progressives such as Rep. Jerry Nadler seem to feel a need to align themselves not only with AIPAC but even with the more right wing extremist ZOA, rather than with J-Sreet or the J-Street PAC.
More about J-Sreet:
Statement of Principles
Myths & Facts
Supporters including Americans and Israelis
Disclaimer:
I am just an American and a Jew who is a supporter of J-Street; I am not staff or employed by them, not paid them, do not hold any title with them, not on the board or anything; I do show up to NYC area meetings.
Update - Full Text of Letter:
full text from J Street
Dear Mr. President:
As steadfast advocates of the unbreakable U.S. commitment to the security of Israel, we write in support of your strong commitment to a Middle East peace process that results in Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security.
Distinguished leaders with decades of military service in both the United States and Israel have concluded that the continued lack of resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict threatens the security interests of both countries. General David H. Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Central Command, presented compelling testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee in March on the impact that, in his words, "insufficient progress toward a comprehensive Middle East peace" has had on American security interests in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Specifically, General Petraeus stated that "The enduring hostilities between Israel and some of its neighbors present distinct challenges to our ability to advance [U.S.] interests in the [region].... The conflict foments anti-American sentiment...Arab anger over the Palestinian question limits the strength and depth of U.S. partnerships with governments and peoples in the [region] and weakens the legitimacy of moderate regimes in the Arab world. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda and other militant groups exploit that anger to mobilize support. The conflict also gives Iran influence in the Arab world through its clients, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas."
Senior national security leaders in Israel have expressed similar views. Former Prime Minister and current Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israel’s most decorated military leader, has stated that "The lack of a solution to the problem of border demarcation within the historic Land of Israel...is the most serious threat to Israel's future." In the words of Defense Minister Barak, "the reality is that there is a profound need, which stems from Israel's interests to ensure its future and its identity. We have an interest in drawing a border line which includes a solid Jewish majority for generations, and beside it an economically and politically viable Palestinian state. The agreement on this line will come hand in hand with protecting Israel's security interests."
As legislators tasked with safeguarding America’s security – and as friends of Israel committed to our ally’s survival and prosperity – we share the views of these decorated military leaders and urge you to continue your strong efforts to bring U.S. leadership to bear in moving the parties toward a negotiated two-state solution. A just and sustainable end to this conflict will not only secure Israel’s future as a democratic, Jewish homeland – it will also enhance our ability to confront the threats posed by Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other actors in the Middle East, and advance critical U.S. security interests in the region more broadly.
Thank you for your time and attention, and we look forward to your response.
