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Time to Choose
A Referendum and Pledge for Israeli-Palestinian Peace:
 I CHOOSE PEACE via a Freeze on Israeli Settlement Construction
Israeli settlements are continuing to be built and expanded inside the West Bank despite Israeli commitments to freeze settlement construction, with some settlements receiving financial support from American Jews. The continued construction of these settlements is a major obstacle towards the creation of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state and undermines popular support for moderate Palestinian leadership and the peace process. I choose a settlement freeze, as well as the removal of all illegal outposts in the West Bank, as called for in the U.S.-backed Roadmap and committed to by the Israeli government.
I CHOOSE PEACE via Sharing Jerusalem as the Capital for Both Peoples
Some American Jews, in addition to some Israeli hardliners, are attempting to hinder peace talks by opposing efforts by the Israeli government to find a negotiated solution to Jerusalem. They rally behind the notion of a “united and undivided” Jerusalem, despite the fact that it is already divided along religious and ethnic lines and knowing that no Palestinian leadership could agree to a state that does not include East Jerusalem. I choose sharing Jerusalem in the context of a final status agreement, with West Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, and allowing for access to holy sites for all people.
I CHOOSE PEACE via a Ceasefire and Ending the Blockade in Gaza
Since Hamas took over Gaza in June 2007, thousands of rockets have been fired on southern Israel, killing several, wounding many, and wreaking fear across Israel. Some Americans Jews believe that Israeli military incursions into Gaza and the blockade on Gaza’s borders are the only ways to secure southern Israel and deal with Hamas. However, these actions have failed to put pressure on Hamas or to stop the rockets. Rather, they have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties, a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and a weakening of support for the peace process among Palestinians. For the violence to stop and for peace negotiations to succeed, I choose to support Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks and an end to the blockade on Gaza.
I CHOOSE PEACE via Active U.S. Engagement in the Peace Process
The Annapolis peace conference in November 2007 re-launched negotiations towards a final agreement, but far too little progress has been made in negotiations or implementation of Roadmap commitments. Some American Jews believe that the status quo of violence and despair is preferable to the difficult compromises entailed in peacemaking. I choose active U.S. engagement in the negotiations and implementation process, because I know that a negotiated two-state resolution is the only solution to provide for Israel’s long-term peace and security.
[Click here to learn more about the "Time to Choose" campaign.]
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Time to Choose
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Signed by:
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Campaign Launched:
May 04, 2008
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“Time to Choose,” the latest campaign from Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, calls on American Jews to vote for a referendum on peace and pledge to take action to make a two-state solution a reality.
The referendum asks American Jews to cast their vote in support of concrete steps to bring about a peaceful solution to the key aspects of the conflict: a settlement freeze, sharing Jerusalem, ending the blockade and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, and active U.S. engagement in final status negotiations.
Most importantly, “Time to Choose” is about translating that choice into action. Once you cast your vote for peace, you can pledge in a number of different ways to get involved in working for a two-state solution with Brit Tzedek v’Shalom.
Pledge 1: Join my local Brit Tzedek chapter
Check this box and Brit Tzedek will connect you with your local Brit Tzedek chapter. And if there isn’t a chapter near you, we can work with you to start one.
Pledge 2: Spread the word by talking to 5 friends about T2C
Check this box to pledge to open the conversation about the issues described in the “Time to Choose” referendum with your friends. If they choose peace along with you, ask them to pledge to take action.
You can direct them to http://timetochoose.btvshalom.org, or download a pdf of the referendum/pledge and pass it around.
Pledge 3: Come to DC with Brit Tzedek, June 21-24
Check this box to join Brit Tzedek in Washington, DC for our 2008 Grassroots Leadership Training Institute and National Advocacy Days, June 21-24. In Washington, you can take the message of “Time to Choose” directly to YOUR Members of Congress and get expert training on how to build our pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.
A Brit Tzedek staff member will follow up with you to help you register for the conference, or you can register online now.
Pledge 4: Get involved with T2C in the 2008 elections
Check this box to get involved with the “Time to Choose” campaign around the 2008 elections by attending town hall meetings, writing letters, and communicating to all the candidates clearly that the American Jewish community chooses peace. A Brit Tzedek staff member or volunteer will followup with you as we get closer to the election in the Fall.
If you have any questions about the “Time to Choose” campaign, the referendum, or the pledge, please contact Adam Esrig, Chapter Liaison, at chapter@btvshalom.org.
Why “Time to Choose?”
In Israel's 60th year, Brit Tzedek is calling on supporters of a two-state solution to take action.
The vast majority of American Jews have said repeatedly that they support a two-state solution, but not enough have consistently taken active steps to make that goal a reality. The same can be said of our government. It's one thing to provide verbal support for two states, but it's another thing to really take on the difficult choices that must be made to end the conflict. Let us cast our indecisiveness and inaction to the wind.
It's time to choose.
If that majority of American Jews who support a negotiated two-state resolution take concrete steps to make their opinions heard, we can move our government beyond platitudes to real action. If our government chooses to implement policies that open the door to real change, we can have results - imagine an end to the conflict, a peace agreement, a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Cast your vote for peace and pledge to take action today!
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