Yesterday, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) and 19 original cosponsors introduced S. Res. 408 (this link may change, but text of the resolution and cosponsors can currently be found at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r108:47:./temp/~r108XiApnE:e0:

The Senate may vote on this resolution as soon as today and before beginning its recess this weekend.  The resolution expresses support for the “security fence” and is particularly objectionable in its references to “disputed territory” when talking about the Occupied Territories.  This is, we believe, the first time the U.S. Congress has used such language.  Our various church partners’ policy (and that of the UN) is that the pre-1967 land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza (now occupied by Israel) is properly referred to as the Occupied Territories.

ACTION NEEDED: Please call the offices of your two Senators (Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121) immediately and ask that they oppose S. Res. 408.  Ask, if possible, to speak to the staffperson who handles foreign relations for the Senator.  Leave a voice mail or you might say something (remaining polite at all times) like:

“As a person who condemns terrorism and believes that Israel has a right to live in peace and security, I am nevertheless very troubled by the one-sided nature of S. Res. 408.  Please vote against the resolution, if it is considered this week.  At a critical time in relations between Israelis and Palestinians, United States Senators should not go on record as supporting the current path of the separation barrier and condemning decisions handed down by the International Court of Justice.   In fact, the ICJ said the barrier is only illegal to the extent that it infringes on Palestinian territory.  Indeed, the Court is right.

 “The barrier is a detriment to peace between Israelis and Palestinians and a threat to the long-term security of Israel.  Vote no on S. Res. 408.”