Palestinian Aid in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill —
Support the Appropriations, Speak Out against Undue Restrictions

Please contact your Congressional Representatives today June 26,2005, calling on them to support the $150 million in Palestinian aid in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and to speak out against undue restrictions on that aid.

Imminent Palestinian Aid Vote: Act Today

Palestinian Aid in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill -- Support the Appropriations, Speak Out against Undue Restrictions

Contact your Congressional Representative today, calling on him or her to support the $150 million in Palestinian aid in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and to speak out against undue restrictions on that aid. The full House is scheduled to vote on this legislation as early as Tuesday June 28th, so please send an email below and/or call your Representative by early Tuesday morning.

Palestinian aid is crucial for the building of a stable and functioning Palestinian state and civil society that can be Israel's partner in a peaceful future; it is particularly needed in order for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to go well. Your emails will strengthen the voice of these delegations as they bring their message in support of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Contact your Congressional Representative

Sample letter:
Dear .........
As your constituent and as an American citizen, I am writing to request that you support the $150 million in Palestinian aid in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, and speak out against undue restrictions on that aid that would undermine its effectiveness. In particular, I respectfully request that you strongly call for the lifting of the prohibition on direct budgetary assistance to the Palestinian Authority, as well as the removal of unprecedented and onerous documentation requirements which will inevitably cause harmful delays in the assignment of funds.

Particularly in light of the upcoming Gaza disengagement -- a potential first step towards a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, our country must send a strong message of encouragement, both to the Palestinian people and to President Abbas in particular, and provide the material support that would make it possible to move ahead as a partner in peace.

I, along with the members of the Arab American and Jewish communities in the United states, call on you to take the lead at this crucial time to help bring about a negotiated two-state settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.