The CMEP Executive Committee has decided to encourage participation in a nationwide, nonpartisan Internet campaign to obtain public support for sustained U.S. leadership to achieve a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An independent non-profit, The Campaign for American Leadership in the Middle East (CALME) will oversee the technical and public affairs aspects of the campaign and its website (www.mideastcalm.org).  William Cohen, the former US Defense Secretary is a prime mover in the campaign. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell said in today’s press release, “as this attracts more and more signatures from across the country, we believe it can play an important role in providing a tangible expression of domestic support for strong and sustained U.S. efforts to help the parties reach a two-state solution to the conflict.”

While CMEP’s advocacy is focused on the importance of Jerusalem being shared as the capital of both states, we think this campaign is a constructive and important action that will counter public and Congressional efforts to undermine and weaken the apparent resolve of President Bush and Secretary Rice to fulfill his “vision.”  On February 5 in Brussels, the President talked of creating a new Palestinian state, which is truly viable with a thriving economy and contiguous territory on the West Bank, living alongside a safe, secure and recognized Israel.

The Executive Committee authorized me to sign the petition for CMEP.  The initial petition signers are a mix of retired government leaders, military leaders, business/academic/community leaders and prominent Christians, Muslims and Jews.  Among the signers are: Episcopal P.B. Frank Griswold, The Reverend Chris Hobgood of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), NCC President Bishop Thomas Hoyt, Christianity Today’s David Neff, Ron Young of USICPME, The Hon. Philip Wilcox, former Sec. of State Madeleine Albright, Jim Zogby of Arab American Institute, Ziad Asali of American Task Force on Palestine, heads of Israel Policy Forum, Americans for Peace Now and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, former senators Warren Rudman and Alan Simpson and Vice-chair of the 9-11 Commission Lee Hamilton.

To help provide evidence of widespread support for a two-state solution please sign onto the petition, which follows, at www.mideastcalm.org.

Dear Mr. President,

We, the undersigned, believe that resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical to U.S. national security interests and essential to reduce the threat posed by international terrorism. We write to underscore American public support for your efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We encourage you to make this a central and sustained objective of American foreign policy. A peaceful resolution of the conflict will enhance our efforts to build a secure, stable, and more democratic Middle East, and in so doing, serve U.S. national security interests.

It is only right that the United States use all the resources at its disposal to help Israelis and Palestinians overcome the differences and fears that divide them in order to reach a settlement that will provide true security for Israel, help the Palestinians to achieve their own democratic state and lead to peace and prosperity for all the peoples of the region.

Although details can only be agreed through negotiations by the two sides, the basic elements of settlement are both achievable and clear: a two-state solution, rigorous security guarantees and the protection of human rights and access to holy sites.

We urge you to mobilize international support for that goal and to pursue progress with determination, fairness and creativity until success is achieved. We fully understand the potential obstacles ahead. We also understand the consequences of failure. Failure must not be an option. You have our strong support to stay the course.