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We’re bracing
ourselves for Congress’s return following the August recess. The
latest word I’m hearing is that S.Res.408, the resolution introduced
by Sen. Gordon Smith on July 20, will not be coming to the floor. CMEP
wrote letters to the thirty-four Senators who had signed on as
cosponsors. That letter, and list of cosponsors, is included below. It
is likely that an alternative resolution will be introduced that is
less dangerous (probably not refer to the West Bank and Gaza as
“disputed territory” instead of “occupied territories”) but would
still certainly be an expression of strong support for Israel.
I’ll alert you if and when a Senate resolution is on the calendar.
I bring to your
attention a number of new resources on the separation barrier that
were developed by the Mennonite Central Committee, one of CMEP’s
member organizations. One of the MCC resources is a wonderful “book”
of answers to frequently asked questions about Israel/Palestine
generally. In a PDF format, the “book” has beautiful color photos and
is 70 pages long; so make sure your printer is equipped before
starting to print:
http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/bridges/paper.pdf. All MCC
resources on the separation barrier can be found on their website:
http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/bridges/index.html. and on the
CMEP website under “resources on the separation barrier” link .
CMEP Letter
to the 34 Cosponsors on S.Res 408
August 24, 2004
Dear Name of
Senator,
It is with
compassion for both Israelis and Palestinians, and with a commitment
to realizing the shared vision of two states living side-by-side in
peace and with security, that Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
writes to you about your cosponsorship of S.Res.408. I urge you to
think carefully about the ramifications of this resolution, introduced
by Senator Gordon Smith on July 20. This resolution should not move
forward unless it is amended to be conducive to the evenhanded
leadership that is necessary if the Administration is to restore an
Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
This resolution
is not a helpful way to express Congressional friendship for Israel or
to increase security for Israelis. Instead, we urge you to seek
opportunities now and in the next Congress to work cooperatively with
the Administration to restore hope for a two-state solution to the
conflict. This is a far better strategy for providing security to Israel,
as well as national rights to the Palestinians and a restoration of
the United States’ good reputation in the Middle East and throughout
the world.
S.Res.408
places a new obstacle on the path to negotiated peace agreements. By
referring to the West Bank and Gaza as "disputed territory," the
cosponsors seem to deny the correct legal status as "occupied
territories" which is crucial to the implementation of UNSC Res. 242
and a two-state solution. It's relevant to note that the Israeli High
Court ruling opens with the statement, "Since 1967, Israel has been
holding areas of Judea and Samaria in belligerent occupation."
The nineteen
national churches and church-agencies of Churches for Middle East
Peace have, since July 2003, raised objections to the route of the
security barrier as prejudicial to negotiations and devastating to
Palestinian livelihood. We ask that your concern for the wellbeing of
Israelis be complemented by your concern for the vast majority of
Palestinians who seek peace and oppose violence.
Sincerely,
Corinne
Whitlatch -- Executive Director
Cosponsors:
Alexander (R-TN), Allard (R-CO), Bayh (D-IN), Bond (R-MO), Boxer
(D-CA), Bunning (R-KY), Chambliss (R-GA), Clinton (D-NY), Coleman
(R-MN), Collins (R-ME), Corzine (D-NJ), Crapo (R-ID), DeWine (R-OH),
Dole (R-NC), Ensign (R-NV), Fitzgerald (R-IL), Hatch (R-UT), Inhofe
(R-OK), Johnson (D-SD), Kyl (R-AZ), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Lieberman
(D-CT), Lott (R-MS), Lugar (R-IN), Mikulski (D-MD), Murray (D-WA),
Nelson (D-FL), Reid (D-NV), Santorum (R-PA), Schmuer (D-NY), Snowe
(R-ME), Talent (R-MO), Voinovich (R-OH), Wyden (R-OR) |
