Christian leaders of American churches and Christian institutions from a range of traditions – Orthodox, Catholic, mainstream and evangelical Protestants – have appealed to President Bush for peace in the Holy Land. The January 23rd letter, signed by 39 church leaders, encourages President Bush to make Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace initiative, an urgent priority for his Administration. The letter states a deepening concern for the welfare and future of the Palestinian Christian community. It also calls attention to the very grave situation of Jerusalem.

The church leaders' letter to President Bush will be delivered Thursday to all Senate and House offices. It is also the basis of an ad in the January 30th edition of Roll Call, a widely read publication on Capitol Hill. CMEP encourages advocates to contact their Congressional offices to raise up the main points of the letter. In the new political climate on Capitol Hill, this is a good opportunity to urge bi-partisan work towards a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that, as stated by President Bush in his 2007 State of the Union address, results in two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.

TAKE ACTION:

Call the Washington office of your Representative and two Senators. Say you are calling to endorse the January 23 church leaders' letter to President Bush urging Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. Ask the Senator/Representative to work with the Administration towards negotiations that guarantee two viable and secure states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side and sharing Jerusalem.