3rd Thursday Action Alert: Urge President Obama to pursue just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine

3rd Thursday Action Alert: Urge President Obama to pursue just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine

“…let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an overflowing stream.” Amos 5:24

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

Urge President Obama in his final weeks in office to take clear and decisive action for a just and lasting peace that will benefit Palestinians and Israelis in the months and years ahead.

3rd_Thursday_logo.jpgAsk him to support Palestine at the UN and take firm action to stop Israeli settlements.

Support Palestine at the UN:

More than five years ago, Palestine applied to become a full member of the United Nations. That application, which was forwarded to the Security Council, remains in one of its committees, even though the General Assembly accorded Palestine observer state status in 2012. Current circumstances provide an opportunity for the Obama Administration to allow Palestine’s application for full membership to move forward. The U.S. could vote affirmatively or abstain on a Security Council recommendation to the General Assembly for member status for Palestine. As more than a majority of UN member states recognize Palestine, it will almost certainly be approved as a member state. Furthermore, admission to member status would become virtually permanent as no country has ever been expelled from the United Nations. Ask President Obama to support Palestine’s full membership in the UN.

Act to stop settlements:

Israel continues to expand settlements, illegal under international law, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. As settlements grow, the space for Palestinians to live shrinks, the West Bank is carved up, and daily life for Palestinians is crippled. Continued settlement expansion harms the prospects for peace and undermines security for both Palestinians and Israelis. The U.S. government has repeatedly spoken out against settlements but it can and should do more. Let President Obama know that he has your support for decisive action to end the expansion of Israeli settlements.

Call on the president today to ask him to act now for a just peace in Palestine and Israel by

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Sample Letter:

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing to urge you, in your final weeks in office, to take clear and decisive action for a just and lasting peace that will benefit Palestinians and Israelis in the months and years ahead.

Specifically, I ask you to support Palestine at the UN and take firm action to stop Israeli settlements.

I urge you to allow Palestine’s application for full UN membership to move forward to the UN Security Council and on to the UN General Assembly for a vote.

I urge you to take decisive action to end the expansion of Israeli settlements. Israel continues to expand settlements, illegal under international law, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. As settlements grow, the space for Palestinians to live shrinks, the West Bank is carved up, and daily life for Palestinians is crippled. Continued settlement expansion harms the prospects for peace and undermines security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

As a person of faith who cares deeply about peace for Palestinians and Israelis, I ask you to act now for a just peace in Palestine and Israel.

With appreciation and prayers,