Washington Monument

Washington, Dec 18, 2008 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today sent the following letter to his colleagues in the House of Representatives asking them to “support a vibrant push for peace in Israel and Palestine” and to “help make this holiday season a time of precious and loving memories for our brethren in the Holy Land.”

                                                                December 18, 2008
 
Dear Colleague:
 
As we head home for the holidays to spend time with our families and reflect on our lives and the world we live in, it is appropriate to pay special attention to the Holy Land. In addition to being among the most significant site for Christians, Muslims, and Jews, the Holy Land is home to one of the world's most intransigent and devastating conflicts.
 
During the 110th Congress, Israelis and Palestinians have endured incessant violence, political turbulence, and the tragic loss of life.  The efforts made in Annapolis in late 2007 to re-start negotiations between the two parties seemed to be too little, too late.  In the past year, Israel's leadership has undergone serious transitions and continues to do so. Palestinians have not achieved a unity government, and a briefly hopeful cease-fire between Hamas and Israel tragically unraveled in early November. 
 
Perhaps most troubling is the ongoing Israeli-imposed blockade of Gaza.  International human rights organizations along with the United Nations have unanimously declared that the blockade of basic goods, clean water, and food has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  I have joined these voices and repeatedly called on our Administration to urge Israel to lift its debilitating blockade. In addition to amounting to the collective punishment of 1.5 million Palestinians, the blockade does not bring Israel the security it direly needs. The only way to achieve security and realize human rights in the region is ! to establish a just and viable peace.
 
The United Nations Security Council agrees with this call. On December 16, 2008, the Security Council reaffirmed the need for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. In its almost unanimous resolution, it called on the two parties to fulfill their obligations under the Road Map peace plans and to refrain from undermining the peace process.  The Security Council adopted the joint Russian-United States resolution declaring that "lasting peace can only be based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement, and terror, and the two-State solution, building upon previous agreements and obligations."
 
I call on you to join me, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community of human rights organizations, to support a vibrant push for peace in Israel and Palestine.  Help make this holiday season a time of precious and loving memories for our brethren in the Holy Land.  Happy Holidays.
                                                                                 
                                                            Sincerely,
                                                             /S/        
                                                            Dennis Kucinich                                                                                                                             Member of Congress

 
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