To: Rabbis, Officers, Synagogue Leaders From:
Richard B. Stone, Chairman RE: The continuing violence in Israel Urgent Action NeededAs outbreaks of violence continue in Israel, it is unfortunately clear that Yassir Arafat is reverting to violence rather than negotiations in order to make political gains. It is more important than ever that the United States express its solidarity with the people and state of Israel, America’s most dependable Middle East ally. Congress is expected to adjourn for the year at the end of this week: there are several actions you can take before Congress adjourns to help ensure US support for Israel: 1) The Palestine Central Council has made clear its intent to move ahead unilaterally on declaring a Palestinian state in the coming weeks. Such a move would be a fundamental violation of the Oslo Accords and can aggravate an already volatile situation. Last week, the House voted by an overwhelming 385--27 in support of a bill opposing such a unilateral declaration of independence. Action: Please call your
Senators at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to support S.2938, a bill
opposing a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood. 2) A Congressional resolution is being circulated in the House in support of Israel and calling on the United States to stand by Israel. A similar one is being circulated in the Senate. The resolution expresses solidarity with the state and the people of Israel at this time of crisis; condemns the Palestinian leadership for encouraging violence and doing so little to stop it; urges the Administration to use its veto power at the UN Security Council to prevent the passage of unbalanced resolutions; and calls on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to make all possible efforts to prevent the further senseless loss of life on all sides. Action:
Please call your Senators at (202) 224-3121 and House members at (202)
225-3121 and urge them to support this resolution. 3) The OU/IPA has expressed anger and disappointment in the Administration’s failure to veto UN Resolution 1322 that unilaterally condemns Israel for this week’s Middle East violence and criticizes Israel’s use of force to defend its soldiers and civilians from Palestinian attacks. Action:
Please call Senators at (202) 224-3121 and House members at (202)
225-3121 and encourage them to speak out on the floor of the Senate and
the House to express their disappointment in UN Resolution 1322 and to
voice their solidarity with Israel at this critical time. For further information, please call us at 212-613-8124. The Institute for Public Affairs of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America is the non-partisan public policy research and advocacy center created to represent and mobilize the world's largest Orthodox Jewish community.
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