Action Alert: Send Message of Peace to Bush for Middle East

The Episcopal Public Policy Network
Policy Alert

"We must seize every opportunity to make small gains, even in times of overwhelming challenge." -- Rep. David Price in a letter to Churches for Middle East Peace Conference: Calming the Storm -- Middle East Peace Making in a Turbulent Time

President Bush will travel to the Middle East May 13-18. Before he leaves, it is important that he hear from citizens across the country that the U.S. must exercise robust diplomatic leadership to create a climate in which negotiations for the establishment of a viable State of Palestine alongside a secure Israel can continue and yield substantive progress. The hopes that were raised in Annapolis are being dashed daily by both the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements, the crisis in Gaza, and ongoing violence by militant groups.

At the Annapolis conference convened by President Bush in November of 2007, Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert agreed to launch formal peace talks and work for a final agreement before the end of 2008. Talks were to include "final status" issues such as borders, the future of Palestinian refugees and of Jerusalem.

Please write President Bush today emphasizing that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict brings continuing pain to both Palestinians and Israelis and destabilizes the region. It also threatens US national security. A failed Annapolis process will only serve to strengthen extremist elements throughout the region.

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