Churches
For Middle East Peace Calls For Action
April
14, 2005
TO: Churches for Middle East Peace Email Network
FROM: Corinne Whitlatch
RE: Urging you to Join Nationwide Internet Campaign
This alert can also be found on CMEP’s website at: http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2005April14.htm
The CMEP Executive Committee has decided to encourage
participation in a nationwide, nonpartisan Internet campaign to obtain
public support for sustained U.S. leadership to achieve a two-state resolution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An independent non-profit, The Campaign
for American Leadership in the Middle East (CALME) will oversee the technical
and public affairs aspects of the campaign and its website (www.mideastcalm.org).
William Cohen, the former US Defense Secretary is a prime mover in the
campaign. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell said in today’s
press release, “as this attracts more and more signatures from
across the country, we believe it can play an important role in providing
a tangible expression of domestic support for strong and sustained U.S.
efforts to help the parties reach a two-state solution to the conflict.”
While CMEP’s advocacy is focused on the importance of Jerusalem
being shared as the capital of both states, we think this campaign is
a constructive and important action that will counter public and Congressional
efforts to undermine and weaken the apparent resolve of President Bush
and Secretary Rice to fulfill his “vision.” On February 5
in Brussels, the President talked of creating a new Palestinian state,
which is truly viable with a thriving economy and contiguous territory
on the West Bank, living alongside a safe, secure and recognized Israel.
The Executive Committee authorized me to sign the petition
for CMEP. The initial petition signers are a mix of retired government
leaders, military leaders, business/academic/community leaders and prominent
Christians, Muslims and Jews. Among the signers are: Episcopal P.B. Frank
Griswold, The Reverend Chris Hobgood of Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), NCC President Bishop Thomas Hoyt, Christianity Today’s
David Neff, Ron Young of USICPME, The Hon. Philip Wilcox, former Sec.
of State Madeleine Albright, Jim Zogby of Arab American Institute, Ziad
Asali of American Task Force on Palestine, heads of Israel Policy Forum,
Americans for Peace Now and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, former senators
Warren Rudman and Alan Simpson and Vice-chair of the 9-11 Commission
Lee Hamilton.
To help provide evidence of widespread support for
a two-state solution please sign onto the petition, which follows, at
www.mideastcalm.org.
Dear Mr. President,
We, the undersigned, believe that resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical to U.S. national security interests
and essential to reduce the threat posed by international terrorism.
We write to underscore American public support for your efforts to resolve
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We encourage you to make this a central
and sustained objective of American foreign policy. A peaceful resolution
of the conflict will enhance our efforts to build a secure, stable, and
more democratic Middle East, and in so doing, serve U.S. national security
interests.
It is only right that the United States use all the
resources at its disposal to help Israelis and Palestinians overcome
the differences and fears that divide them in order to reach a settlement
that will provide true security for Israel, help the Palestinians to
achieve their own democratic state and lead to peace and prosperity for
all the peoples of the region.
Although details can only be agreed through negotiations
by the two sides, the basic elements of settlement are both achievable
and clear: a two-state solution, rigorous security guarantees and the
protection of human rights and access to holy sites.
We urge you to mobilize international support for that
goal and to pursue progress with determination, fairness and creativity
until success is achieved. We fully understand the potential obstacles
ahead. We also understand the consequences of failure. Failure must not
be an option. You have our strong support to stay the course.
--------------------------------------------
Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace is a
Washington-based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American Friends
Service Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Catholic
Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan Mission Service, Friends
Committee on National Legislation, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
Maryknoll Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, National Council of
Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Unitarian
Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist
Church (GBCS & GBGM) . For further information, see www.cmep.org