Urgent Action Needed

May 21, 2001

To:       Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts
From:  Richard B. Stone, Chairman
            Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
RE:     Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2001

---

The deliberate and orchestrated campaign of terrorism and violence on the part of the Palestinian Authority continues. These attacks, perpetrated by Arafat's own Fatah, Tanzim and other terrorist groups who cooperate with them, have resulted in many tragic deaths and injuries. These attacks now include the use of rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank missiles and other deadly weapons. Palestinian officials continue daily to incite the population to violence against Israelis. 

The attempt by the Palestinians to achieve political gain by using violence against Israel is in violation of every agreement and commitment made by the PA over the past seven years. It also violates the commitments made by the Palestinians to the United States and undermines any possible chance for peace.

The United States' relationship with the PLO began and grew with its pledge to renounce violence and pursue a negotiated settlement of the conflict. The United States must make it clear to the Palestinians that continuing down this path of violence and terrorism will endanger its ties with the U.S. 

Immediate Action Necessary

In view of this campaign of violence that the Palestinians are waging against Israel in contravention of all the agreements they signed, we are strongly urging all our members to immediately write or call their representatives to support and co-sponsor H.R. 1795, the Middle East Commitments Act of 2001. This important legislation, introduced by Representatives Ackerman (D-NY), Gilman (R-NY) and Lantos (D-CA), would hold the Palestinian leadership accountable for their violent and terrorist attacks by imposing sanctions on them. The sanctions would include cutting off aid, denying visas to the PLO and to Palestinian Authority officials to the United States, downgrading the status of the PLO office in Washington, and putting the Fatah, the Tanzim, and Force 17 on the list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. 

Write or call your Members of Congress and urge them to stand in strong support of Israel in her right to take defensive measures against attacks on her people. Urge them to immediately strongly support and add their names to the co-sponsors for H.R. 1795 the Middle East Commitments Act of 2001.

Use our automated sample letter!

Please call us at (212) 613-8123 with any questions you may have.

Write to: 
Representative _________________ 
U.S. House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 20515 

Call:
(202) 225-3121 
Ask for your Representative