Look Who's Bragging

These guys:

Our growth into a significant political force was clearly evident last week. Brit Tzedek supporters from across the country, together with those of J Street, made well over 4,000 phone calls requesting inclusion of our pro-Israel, pro-peace message in impending House and Senate resolutions on the Israel-Gaza crisis. Collectively our voices changed the status quo.

Typically AIPAC is the initiating force on Israel-related legislation. In this case Congressional staffers initiated and wrote the resolutions, seeking input from AIPAC and the pro-Israel, pro-peace community.

Both resolutions placed all the blame on Hamas for the current situation and did not mention Israel's blockade as having created a humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, the demands of the pro-Israel, pro-peace camp were heard and taken seriously.

Brit Tzedek called on Congress to demand an immediate ceasefire, to acknowledge the suffering on both sides, and to demand U.S. leadership in reinvigorating the peace process. All three points were alluded to in both the House and Senate resolutions.

...And finally, 24 Democrats in the House of Representatives, many of whom our chapters have developed close relationships with, wrote a letter to the President and the Israeli Ambassador urging them to take immediate steps to relieve the deplorable humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Please thank them.

The bottom line: We, along with our pro-Israel, pro-peace coalition partners, including J Street, American for Peace Now, and the Israel Policy Forum, are advancing the pro-Israel pro-peace movement. Let's keep moving forward!

BEHIND THE SCENES

Initially, both Sen. Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (House Majority Leader) had opposed calling for an immediate ceasefire. Nevertheless, the final version calls for "a durable, enforceable, and sustainable ceasefire as soon as possible," as Brit Tzedek requested. Considering the strong resistance to any call for a ceasefire, the final wording is a reflection of a positive development in Congress.

Secondly, we asked Congress to acknowledge the suffering on both sides..

Finally, the resolutions recognize the need for "United States Government efforts to promote a just resolutions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a serious and sustained peace process that leads to the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state living in peace alongside a secure State of Israel." The inclusion of this statement is highly significant because it highlights the only path forward after a ceasefire is reached to reach a sustainable peace resolution.