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Stop House Bill Supporting Sharon Plan
On Wednesday, June 23, the House will consider a bill introduced by Congressmen Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) that essentially endorses Sharon's plan to withdraw some settlements in Gaza while continuing the illegal military occupation, Israel's construction of the Wall, and development of settlements in the West Bank. The bill would support the principles George Bush laid down in his letter to Sharon of April 14, including a statement that Israel would not have to return to the 1967 borders in any final agreement.
Call or write your Congressperson now and tell them to vote against this dangerous bill that would overturn 30 years of US policy and endorse settlements that have been declared illegal by international law.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please vote against the DeLay-Hoyer bill
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Passage of Tom DeLay's and Steny Hoyer's bill endorsing the Sharon Gaza withdrawal plan and the Bush letter of April 14 will overturn 30 years of US policy by supporting settlements which have been declared illegal by international law. It will also undermine the US role in mediating this conflict by pre-determining outcomes on such sensitive issues as borders and Palestinian refugees.
The US needs to be a good global neighbor. Please vote against this reckless plan.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
June 22, 2004
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The DeLay-Hoyer Bill (a draft of which appears below) would be yet another blow to the hopes of peace in Israel/Palestine. By endorsing the Bush letter of April 14, this bill would give Congressional validation to Bush's statements. Those statements included assurance to Israel that it would not have to return to the borders as they existed before the 1967 war and that no Palestinian refugees would return to Israel. While these may be outcomes of any negotiated settlement, having them pre-determined by the US, without any input at all from Palestinians, will only inflame the conflict and harden positions on both sides.
That the bill is being introduced as a bi-partisan measure means it has a much better chance for success. We have a good opportunity to make our voices heard on this at an early stage, as the bill has not yet been introduced in the House. We can be certain that those who support the occupation will be working hard to support this bill. Your representatives will hear from them. It is crucial that your representatives hear from you in opposing this foolhardy measure.
Here is the text of the DeLay-Hoyer bill:
H.Res.___ (note: there is no number for the resolution, as the bill has not yet been introduced in the House)
- Regarding Israel’s Security and the Principles of Middle East Peace
Sponsored by Rep.Tom DeLay and Steny Hoyer
Whereas the Congress of the United States is hopeful that a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved;
Whereas the Congress of the United States is strongly committed to Israel’s security and well-being as a Jewish state;
Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has offered an initiative intended to enhance Israel’s security and further the cause of peace in the Middle East;
Whereas U.S. President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Sharon have subsequently engaged in a dialogue with respect to this initiative;
Whereas President Bush, as part of that dialogue, expressed the support of the United States for Prime Minister Sharon’s initiative in an April 14, 2004 letter;
Whereas, the President stated in light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli population centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949 but realistic to expect that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities;
Whereas it seems clear that any agreed, just, fair, and realistic framework for a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement will need to be found through the establishment of a permanent alternative and the settling of Palestinian refugees there, rather than in Israel;
Whereas the principles expressed in President Bush’s letter will enhance Israel’s security and advance the cause of peace in the Middle East;
Whereas there will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians until they and all states, in the region and beyond, join together to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations;
Whereas the United States remains committed to Israel’s security, including secure, recognized, and defensible borders, and to preserving and strengthening Israel’s capability to deter enemies and defend itself, by itself, against any threat;
Whereas Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, including to take actions against terrorist organizations that threaten Israel’s citizens;
Whereas the President stated on June 24, 2002 his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security and that vision can be fully realized only once terrorism is defeated, so that a new state may be created based on the rule of law and respect for human rights;
Whereas President Bush announced on March 14, 2003 that in order to promote a lasting peace, all Arab states must oppose terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Palestine, and state clearly that they will live in peace with Israel;
Now, therefore let it be resolved:
Congress strongly endorses the principles articulated by President Bush in his April 14, 2002 (JVP note: this would seem to be a typographical error. The Letter in question was sent by Bush to Sharon on April 14 of this year) letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, which will strengthen the security and the well-being of the state of Israel.
Supports efforts to continue working with others in the international community to build the capacity and will of the Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has withdrawn from posing a threat to the security of Israel.
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