~January 5, 2007~

Letter in PDF Format: House/Senate

Dear Representative or Senator,  

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a coalition of 22 Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant national church bodies and organizations, sends you greetings for the New Year at the beginning of the 110th Congress. As the ecumenical Christian advocacy voice for Israeli-Arab peacemaking, CMEP guides advocacy by church members across the country and works with Congress and the Administration in support of U.S. policies conducive to Middle East peace. In your work on Middle East affairs, CMEP can provide balanced analysis and a compassionate perspective that reflects the values of our member churches.

As you address the many challenges facing our nation and the global community in 2007, we urge you to make a negotiated resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace initiative, an urgent priority. At a time when extremist elements are gaining influence, your support of American leadership in peacemaking will help bring peace and stability to the struggling peoples of the Middle East and a more secure future for the citizens of the United States. Progress toward Israeli-Palestinian-Arab peace will require bi-partisan Congressional support and encouragement for the Administration to work cooperatively with the Quartet and Arab states.

We hold close to our heart the well-being of the rapidly emigrating Palestinian Christian community, and recognize that their future, as well as that of all the children of Abraham, depends on a political resolution of this tragic conflict. Such a resolution will require steadfast American leadership. You can be assured that church advocates around the country will support your work on behalf of peace in the Holy Land.

Churches for Middle East Peace has long held the vision of a region where two viable states-Israel and Palestine-live side-by-side, each within secure and recognized borders and sharing the city of Jerusalem. We look forward to working cooperatively with your office and the 110th Congress toward that goal.


Sincerely,

Corinne Whitlatch   
Executive Director  

Maureen Shea

Chair of the Board
 

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