Dear friend,

Palestinian lawmaker and committed non-violence advocate Mustafa Barghouti believes that a change in U.S. policy is the only chance for a just peace in Israel and Palestine. U.S. weapons rained down death and destruction on the people of Gaza, U.S. tax dollars subsidize the security apparatus needed for illegal settlements in the West Bank, and tacit U.S. support allows for continuing appropriation of Palestinian lands and demolition of Palestinian homes and olive groves. Only if the Obama administration says to the Israeli government, "Enough is enough," will there be any hope of a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

On February 4th, 2009 Representative William Delahunt (D-MA) introduced H. Res 130, carefully worded bi-partisan legislation that, among other things, "congratulates Senator George Mitchell on his appointment as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace" and "calls on the international community to aggressively pursue efforts that facilitate a just and lasting resolution of these conflicts."

• You can see the full text of the legislation here.
  
• After being introduced, the bill was referred to the 46-member House Foreign Affairs Committee.
  
• It currently has 55 co-sponsors.
• Is your Representative a cosponsor? Click here to find out and call them today to thank them or ask them to sign on! (202) 225-3121

How could anyone argue with such an initiative? It's easy. Critics are already pushing back. Abe Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, is worried that Mitchell, whom he described as "fair" and "meticulously even-handed," will be bad for Israel simply because he IS fair and even-handed.

If George Mitchell, the man who negotiated a settlement to the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland, is going to have a chance at bringing about a fair and just peace in Israel and Palestine, he and President Obama will need our support. Delahunt's resolution offers Congress and US an opportunity to voice that support.

If your Representative is not yet a co-sponsor, please call to ask him or her to sign on. If your Rep is already a co-sponsor, please call to say thank you. Check to see the list of cosponsors here! The House Switchboard # is (202) 225-3121.

The only recognizable feature of hope is action,
Audrey, Dana, Deidra, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Medea, Nancy, Paris, and Rae