Action Alert--Discuss issues that concern US policy toward
Israel and Palestine -- Meet with Your Members of Congress in August
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation has issued the following "Washington Wednesday" Action Alert. Citizens for Justice in the Middle East is affiliated with "End the Occupation," along with 140 other community groups throughout the nation.
Congress is on its annual summer recess until September 6.
Many Members of Congress will be in their home states and districts to meet with
constituents during this time. This is a great opportunity to educate your
elected representatives about the need for the United States to pursue a policy
toward Israel and Palestine based on human rights and international law.
NOTE: The Senate adjourned for recess before voting on S.Res. 408, which
condemns the International Court of Justice for ruling that Israel’s Wall is
illegal. That makes it more important for you to meet with your Senators during
August and educate them about Israel’s Wall and the ICJ ruling and ask them not
to support this resolution.
ACTION REQUESTED:
1. Schedule a meeting with your Senators and Representative to discuss issues that concern US policy toward Israel and Palestine.
If you would like to set up or attend meetings with your Members of Congress, please fill out the form at: http://www.endtheoccupation.org/modinput.php?modin=64
For a template to request a meeting with Members of Congress, see: http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=221To find out how your Members of Congress voted on legislation relating to Israel and Palestine, see our updated Congressional Report Card at: http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?list=type&type=59
If you have any questions, please contact Josh Ruebner, Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator at congress@endtheoccupation.org
2. Provide feedback on your visit to CJME: Send a letter to info@cjme.org to let us know how your visit went.
3. Provide feedback on your visit to "End the Occupation":
After you’ve met with your Members of Congress, please fill out a feedback form
at:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/modinput.php?modin=65
TALKING POINTS:
The US Campaign encourages you to raise the following issues
in your meetings:
1) Congressional condemnation of the International Court of Justice for its
advisory opinion that Israel's Wall is illegal. The House passed its version on
July 15. Thank your Member of Congress if he/she voted no or present. Explain to
your Member of Congress why you think this resolution is wrong if he/she voted
yes. Talking points can be found at:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=368 . A similar version was
introduced in the Senate but not voted on before recess. Ask your Senators to
oppose this resolution. Talking points can be found at:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=375
2) Congressional endorsement (Senate Resolution 393 and House Concurrent
Resolution 460) of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s unilateral plan for
disengagement from the Gaza Strip. Thank your Members of Congress if they voted
no or present on these resolutions and explain to them why you think these
resolution are wrong if they voted yes. Talking points on the unilateral
disengagement plan can be found at:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=322
3) Request a General Accounting Office investigation into possible violations by
Israel of the Arms Export Control Act through its use of Caterpillar bulldozers
in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. For talking points, see:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=251
4) House endorsement (House Concurrent Resolution 111) of an independent US
investigation into the death of US peace activist Rachel Corrie. For talking
points, see:
http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=83
WHAT IS ‘WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY’?:
‘Washington Wednesday’ is a pro-active legislative action alert initiated by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation the first Wednesday of each month. Through its network of Congressional District Coordinators, which includes 129 coordinators in 34 states covering 143 Congressional districts, the US Campaign is working to educate Members of Congress about the need for a US foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine that supports peace, justice, human rights, and international law rather than military occupation. If you’d like to get involved and help educate your Members of Congress, please contact us at congress@endtheoccupation.org
Number of responses to congressional representatives from this alert =