JCRC ACTION ALERT
Dear Community Members:
We received word from David Snyder and Paula Joffe of AIPAC that both Senators Lautenberg
and Menendez have still not signed onto an important letter that encourages Arab States to take
steps toward normalizing relations with Israel. This letter is circulating through the Senate (See
below) and is scheduled to close TODAY- FRIDAY AUGUST 7th.
The word is that the Senators are not hearing from the pro-Israel community. Therefore, we are
asking each of you to contact both Senators and in addition, please send this out to as wide an
audience as possible encouraging members of the pro-Israel community to call each Senator's
office and ask them to sign on.
ACTION: Please call Senators Lautenberg at (202) 224-3224 and Menendez at
(202) 224-4744 to press Arab States to take steps toward normalizing relations with
Israel by signing the Bayh-Risch Letter. (additional talking points below)
Thank you,
Vicki J. Zell
President, JCRC
Helene Klimberg
Assistant Director, JCRC
With a growing chorus of editorial boards and pundits calling for a renewed emphasis on the critical
role Arab states can play in the peace process, Congress too is weighing in; last week, more than half
of U.S. House members signed a letter to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia calling on him to make a
"dramatic gesture" of peace towards Israel.
A similar letter to President Obama is being circulated in the Senate. The letter, which encourages
him to press Arab states to do more in advancing peace in the region, has 48 Senate co-signers,
including Majority Leader Harry Reid, Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and Democratic Caucus Vice
Chair Charles Schumer – the three ranking Democrats in the United States Senate.
Please call Senators Lautenberg at (202) 224-3224 and Menendez at
(202) 224-4744 TODAY and encourage them to join members of the Democratic Leadership in
pressing Arab States to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel by signing the
Bayh-Risch Letter. The letter will close Friday, August 7th.
Talking points are included courtesy of the AIPAC Action Alert below.
Senate Letter Urges Arab States
to Normalize Relations with Israel
Call Senators TODAY and Ask Them to Sign Bayh/Risch Letter
With Arab states refusing to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, Sens. Evan Bayh (DIN) and Jim Risch (R-ID) are circulating a letter to President Obama, reinforcing his diplomatic efforts
and urging him to further press Arab states to take significant steps toward peace.
Last week, 226 members of the House of Representatives sent a similar letter—spearheaded by
Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Edward Royce (R-CA)—to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, urging
him to take concrete steps demonstrating his government's commitment to peace with Israel. Both
letters reinforce America's diplomatic approach to the region.
Click here to view the Bayh/Risch letter.
Click here to view signatories of the Sherman/Royce letter.
ACTION
Call your Senators listed below and ask them to sign the Bayh/Risch letter:
•
You can reach your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
•
Sample phone script: "I am calling to ask the Senator to sign the Bayh/Risch letter urging
Arab states to normalize relations with Israel and take steps toward peace."
•
You may have the opportunity to speak with a staff person or leave a message at your
member's office. In most cases, the person who answers the phone will listen to your
message and take notes, but not engage you in a lengthy conversation.
•
Both letters strongly support the administration's efforts to get the Arab states to take
meaningful steps toward peace with Israel. In this respect, they echo recent statements by
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton making precisely the same point.
•
Israel has demonstrated its commitment to peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
not only publicly accepted creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state; he has also
announced his unconditional readiness to resume peace talks immediately with the
Palestinians and Arab states. Israel also has taken major steps in the West Bank to ease
Palestinian travel and boost economic activity.
•
As security has improved in the West Bank, Israel has removed nearly 150 roadblocks and
checkpoints, including two dozen manned barriers, opened major crossings to spur trade and
allowed significantly more Palestinian businessmen and workers to enter Israel as a way to
boost the West Bank economy.
•
Unfortunately, the Palestinians and Arab states have yet to respond positively to Israel's
efforts to improve conditions for the Palestinians.
•
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
Jordan have explicitly stated that they do not need to do anything to advance the cause of
peace until the U.S. forces Israel into making concessions.
TALKING POINTS
•
In order for the peace process to move forward, the Arab states need to take meaningful
steps to normalize their relations with Israel and to help Palestinian President Abbas
financially and politically. Arab leaders must understand their continuing efforts to
delegitimize and isolate Israel will scuttle the culture of peace the United States is trying to
foster.