Brit Tzedek v'Shalom

Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2005
Contact: Jessica Rosenblum [email]
Tel: 312 341-1205 or 773 750-7873

American Jews Call on Sharon to Re-Establish Contact with Palestinians

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, condemns the attack by Palestinian extremist groups on the Karni border crossing in the Gaza Strip last Thursday night, as we condemn all acts of violence against civilians. We call upon the newly elected Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who took office just days after this heinous act, to move immediately to fulfill his promise to work to end anti-Israel violence.

Brit Tzedek recognizes that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has not only the right, but also the responsibility, to protect and defend Israeli citizens. However, we believe that his decision to suspend all diplomatic contact with the Palestinian Authority in response to this attack, and on the eve of the inauguration of Chairman Abbas, is, at the least, counter-productive. At a time when many see a new window of opportunity for renewed peace negotiations leading to a two-state solution to the conflict – something a majority of both Israelis and Palestinians favor – Prime Minister Sharon’s action only serves to strengthen, not suppress, the hand of Palestinian extremists whose intended effect was to derail even the prospect of such progress.

To end this vicious cycle of violence and retaliation, Abbas needs the resources of both external political recognition and capital in the form of foreign aid. Such aid is an investment that will enable him to rebuild both the Palestinian security infrastructure and civil society. Only with massive aid will the Palestinian Authority be able to demonstrate to its people the tangible benefits of peace and moderation as compared to the toll of terrorism.

We call on the Bush administration to urge the Sharon government to renew contact with the Palestinian Authority immediately, to urge the Abbas government to take steps to rein in those who would use violence to disrupt the resumption of diplomatic efforts, and to see that the U.S. government takes all necessary steps to see that the peace process moves ahead in a constructive manner.

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, is a national grassroots organization of 24,000 American Jews deeply committed to Israel’s well-being through the achievement of a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

To arrange an interview with Brit Tzedek President and former Member of Knesset Marcia Freedman, please contact Jessica Rosenblum at (312) 341-1205 or (773) 750-7873.