Episcopal Public Policy Network Middle East Action Alert

Your voice is needed now to support a renewed American leadership for peace in the Holy Land.

Over the past several weeks, numerous media reports have spotlighted the new energy in the Obama Administration for working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Reportedly, the President is considering putting forward a U.S.-backed plan for a two-state solution that would end the occupation of the Palestinian territories; provide for the security and recognition of Israel; and establish a viable, secure, and independent Palestinian state.

Earlier this month, Christian leaders in the United States, including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, wrote to the President to express “every possible support” for the Administration’s leadership toward peace, and to pledge to renew efforts to “join with our Jewish and Muslim colleagues to help work for that goal.” To read the full text of the letter, click here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
For the Administration to succeed in its push for Middle-East peace, it needs strong support from lawmakers of both parties. You can help now by sharing the letter from the Presiding Bishop and other Christian leaders with your Senators and Representative. Click here to send a message to your lawmakers.

BRIEF BACKGROUND

• In March, the Administration’s envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, announced a commitment by Israel and the Palestinians to resume indirect peace negotiations (so-called “proximity talks”), a modest but important first step toward the resumption of full negotiations. This effort, however, was derailed in the wake of Vice President Biden’s trip to Jerusalem, during which the Israeli government announced a new wave of settlement-building in Palestinian East Jerusalem.
• Both Israel and the Palestinians must share responsibility for creating the conditions necessary for peace talks to resume. Palestinians must improve security by halting attacks on civilians, blocking illegal arms shipments and disarming militias, and improve governance and transparency as they build capacity for a future state. Israel needs to freeze expansion of settlements, withdraw “illegal outposts,” ease movement for Palestinians by reducing military check points, and refrain from disproportionate military responses.
• The Obama Administration now reportedly is considering putting forward an American plan for a achieving a two-state solution.
• This is a vital moment in the fight to establish a lasting peace that strengthens and protects Israel’s right to exist securely and free from violence, ends the occupation, and establishing a viable and independent Palestinian state.

Palestinian Farmer and Peace Educator Comes to Little Washington

Planting Peace, Teaching Hope

Sunday April 18, 2010 at 3 p.m.

A conversation with Daoud Nassar of Tent of Nations

Trinity Episcopal Church, 379 Gay Street, Little Washington, Virginia 22747

Daoud Nassar, a Palestinian Christian farmer, and his family work their 100-acre farm and olive grove near the West Bank town of Bethlehem.  They and their farm are part of a network of  ministries connected to the Tent of Nations, a dynamic peace and education center where Palestinian neighbors, international visitors, and interested Israelis join in conversations, olive tree planting, children’s camps, and other non-violent peace activities.

Contact Beverly Hunter for more information bev_hunter@earthlink.net