Royce-Engel Bill Flaws that Potentially Harm Work of Incoming Administration

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Friends,

First, and again, may we personally wish you a very happy holiday season – Many of our friends have been in touch, sharing Christmas and Chanukah cheer, with stories of family gatherings large and small. The common denominator was what is important to all of us – our families and our ideals. So, our blessing to you: May you continue to be able to enjoy both, throughout the coming year!

Please note that while the Royce-Engel bill coming up for a vote is a well-timed response to the absurd, harmful UN Sec Council resolution, its wording is sloppy at best, and perhaps dangerous for upcoming policy work by the incoming Administration and Congress.

Click here to read the bill.

It uses outdated language copied from previous ‘pro-Israel resolutions’, footprints of which can be seen for example in the terminology – “The Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site” – this simple mistake is indicative of so much more. Have we completely erased the Temple’s historic existence from the Temple Mount itself?

“Direct bilaterally negotiated settlement” should preclude the oft-included, damaging closing statement choosing to do just the opposite: call for ‘a two-state solution’ as the only ‘just and lasting peace’. This imposes a dangerous internationalized catch phrase that presupposes and prejudices the outcome; thereby biasing and even negating at this point, any hope for real progress in our very real dilemma to achieve peaceful coexistence.

In fact, its very opening and closing statements go against Republican Party policy as seen in its official platform, as well as the Israeli government’s position; thus choosing to push a specific agenda, one that has been failed to bring anything but terror to this region, and that has precluded any real thought towards achieving a real solution.

Words matter. Take this one seriously and work to create a platform for peace and security that really is just that. You have an historic opportunity to move in this direction, and we appeal to you to do so now, before the opportunity is missed, for the sake of our children’s future.

Best,
Ruthie

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