We are also pleased that while, regrettably, the letter was not amended, most statements from supporters of the letter have omitted the problematic sentiment included in the letter - i.e., the implication that the Senate supports the President in pressing Arab states to take steps toward more normal relations with Israel, but does not support him in pressing Israel to freeze settlements.
Yesterday, APN sent a letter to all signers of the Bayh-Risch letter urging them to clarify, at the earliest opportunity, their support for President Obama's entire Middle East peace policy, and not just the plank that calls for Arab states to take steps toward normal relations with Israel. Full text of the letter is after the break.
Dear Senator [name],
Recently you signed a letter to President Obama regarding
his
We urge you to clarify, at the earliest opportunity, your
support for these efforts.
President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and Special Envoy
Mitchell are investing a huge amount of energy and political capital in trying
to create a dynamic with
·
They are pressing Arab states to demonstrate good faith by
taking a range of steps toward normalization of relations with
·
They are pressing the Palestinians to improve and expand
on the positive actions already taken on security, to act forcefully against
incitement, and to refrain from any action that would make meaningful
negotiations less likely.
·
They are pressing
Unfortunately, the Bayh/Risch letter appears to endorse a
very different approach, making the case that Israel has already taken
sufficient steps to show it is serious about peace - regardless of Israel's
continued refusal to freeze settlements - and now the onus is on the Arab
states, alone, to show seriousness about peace by taking dramatic steps to
normalize relations with Israel.
As strong supporters of
We urge you to clarify publicly - in a statement, a
speech, a letter, an op-ed, or any other vehicle - that you do indeed support
all the components of President Obama's Middle East peace efforts, including
pressure on Arab states to take concrete steps that signal willingness to build
normal peaceful relations with Israel, as well as efforts to secure a real,
verifiable settlement freeze from Israel.
We urge you to do so not just because Americans for Peace
Now wants you to, and not just because it is the best thing for Israel (it is),
but because it is the policy that the duly elected President of the United
States is pursuing and he deserves the Senate's support.
Sincerely,
Lara Friedman
Director of Policy and Government Relations