Tell Obama to Continue the Settlement Freeze
For real progress to be achieved towards peace for Israel, construction in West Bank settlements must be stopped. President Obama acknowledged this reality when he pushed Israel to adopt a settlement freeze last year.
Unfortunately, that freeze has yet to result in a discernible slowdown in construction. And the settlement freeze is set to expire in three months. If it is not extended, peace talks will be severely hampered.
President Obama will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, July 6th. He should press Israel to extend the settlement freeze.
Settlement construction undermines Israel's chances to achieve peace. It undermines faith in peace talks and it complicates negotiations over the future border between Israel and the Palestinians.
Tell Obama to push for an extension of the settlement freeze to achieve peace and security for Israel.
Dear President Obama,
For real progress to be achieved towards peace for Israel, construction in West Bank settlements needs to be stopped. You were right to push Israel to adopt a settlement freeze last year. Now you need to take action to see it extended.
Those of us who care about Israel know that settlement construction is bad for Israel. It undermines faith in peace talks and it complicates negotiations over the future border between Israel and the Palestinians.
Settlements also constitute a burden to Israel's security services. They create points of friction between Israelis and Palestinians. And they drain Israel's financial resources.
Please press Prime Minister Netanyahu to extend the settlement freeze.
Holding the line on settlements sends the message that America means what it says. It reminds Israelis that they must choose between making peace and deepening the occupation. It also strengthens America as we look to the Arab world to make important contributions to a renewed peace process.
Sincerely,
all of us who who believe in Israel and believe in peace: