Action Alert: US not pressing Israel on settlements

By admin - Posted on 16 July 2010

Ask your Congressional representative to withhold funds to Israel over violation of settlement agreements

Several recent NY Times articles are of note: Today’s story on the continuing construction of Jewish settlements on the West Bank despite a purported settlement freeze, “Despite Settlement Freeze, Buildings Rise” (www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/world/middleeast/15settlements.html), yesterday’s story on the siege of Gaza, “Hemmed in Gazans Find themselves Locked in Despair” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/world/middleeast/14gaza.html)  and the July 6th article “Tax-Exempt Funds Aiding West Bank Settlements,” (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/world/middleeast/06settle.html?)

   Now is an excellent time to contact your Congressional representatives to inform them of your concern that Israel is not honoring the settlement freeze and to demand an end to the charitable tax-exemption that U.S. donors receive when they give to settlements. The New York Times article points out the hypocrisy and inconsistency in allowing Americans to donate to settlements -- and get a break on their taxes for doing so -- when the U.S. government’s stated policy is that settlements undermine the prospect of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. You may also wish to indicate to your Congressperson that you believe tax-exempt donations to settlements reinforces the impression around the world that the U.S. is not a fair or even-handed broker of peace in the Mideast and builds hostility to the U.S., hostility that undermines our national security. Ask your senators and representatives to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to peace. Suggest that if Israel continues to ignore U.S. demands for an end to settlement construction, our Congress cut off the flow of money to Israel.

 

Call or write the following:

In Missouri:

  • Senator Kit Bond, 274 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
    Phone: 202-224-5721
  • Senator Claire McCaskill, SH -717 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
    Phone: 202-224-6154
  • Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, 1027 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. 20515
    Phone 202-225-4535

In Kansas:

  • Senator Sam Brownback
  • 303 Hart Senate Office Building
    Phone 202-224-6521
  • Senator Pat Roberts
  • 109 Hart Senate Office Building
    Phone 202-224-4774
  • Rep. Dennis Moore, 1717 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington D.C. 20515
    Phone 202-225-2865
Submit Date: 
07/16/2010