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Tell Congress to get past blame

action_alert_186x140.jpgToday, Tuesday, May 24, AIPAC supporters will be on the Hill lobbying Congress to support resolutions - H. Res. 268 and S. Res. 185 - taking the Palestinians to task for seeking UN recognition and for trying to put together a new government that can govern both Gaza and the West Bank.

These resolutions will no doubt be sold as the "pro-Israel" thing for Congress to do. But, rather than promote Israel's interests or peace, the resolutions seem to be primarily about casting blame.  That's no way to support Israel.
 
We need your help to tell Congress not to score political points at the expense of Israeli-Palestinian peace.  

Click here to send your messages.

Congress today should be looking for ways to break the deadlock and achieve peace and security for Israel. Congress should not grandstand at the expense of the real interests of Israel and the United States.

This morning, my colleague Lara Friedman sent every Congressional office a set of talking points. Her key message is that Congress should be looking forward:

"One of the biggest dangers facing Israel today is the absence of U.S. leadership and a credible U.S.-led peace effort... Congress should be pressing President Obama to re-accredit U.S. peace efforts and launch a diplomatic process that can break the impasse and quickly deliver results."

Click here to read the message Lara sent to Congress.

Peace for Israel requires a Palestinian government with the ability to implement its program in both the West Bank and Gaza. A unified Palestinian government will also make Hamas genuinely answerable to its people - something that is more likely to lead to a change in behavior, or a loss of domestic credibility, than U.S. sanctions could ever do.

The Palestinians effort to seek UN recognition for their state is not an alternative to a negotiated peace agreement. Moreover, Palestinian leaders have said they would be willing to suspend this campaign if real progress is made toward peace. The most important thing Congress can do right now is to get behind a meaningful peace push.

Tell Congress to pursue a responsible approach to Israel and peace.

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slated to address Congress tomorrow, there is more pressure than ever for Congress to pander. Our role is to show Congress that Americans who care about Israel want them to do more than echo Netanyahu's talking points. We want them to stand for peace.

With your help, we'll get more than 10,000 messages to Congress by 10pm tonight. Click here to send your letters.