Brit Tzedek v'Shalom

Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2005

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom delegation goes to Capitol Hill

Washington, DC –Next week, the national leadership of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, will go to Capitol Hill to discuss how the U.S. government can best utilize the opportunities presented by the pending Gaza disengagement and election of President Mahmoud Abbas to assist Israelis and Palestinians in realizing their long sought dreams for peace and security

The delegation will meet with more than 20 elected officials and their staff from 11 different states on Tuesday, June 28 th, following a day of intensive advocacy training and policy briefings by members of the Administration, Congress and policy experts on Monday, June 27 th. Presenters will include Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), Reva Price (advisor to Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi) and Aaron Miller ( former Deputy Special Middle East Coordinator for Arab-Israeli Negotiations) among others.

The meetings will be timely in that Congress will be in the midst of reviewing a presidential request for an additional $150 million in aid for the Palestinians. Brit Tzedek believes that Congress should pass the aid resolution, thereby strengthening the new Palestinian leadership in its moves toward reform, as well as its continued support for a ceasefire.

“By linking the disengagement from Gaza with the need for increased Palestinian aid and opposition to any unilateral actions which prejudice future negotiations, we want to make it clear that U.S. support for the Gaza withdrawal must be coupled with strong and clear initiatives aimed at bringing the two parties back to the negotiating table,” said Marcia Freedman, president of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom “These steps must be part of a larger coordinated effort to ensure that Gaza is only the first step.”

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, is a national grassroots organization of American Jews deeply committed to Israel’s well-being through the achievement of a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Brit Tzedek has more than 27,000 members and supporters and 31 chapters in cities across the country.

For a complete program schedule or to interview the participants, please contact Director of Communications and Special Projects, Jessica Rosenblum at (773)750-7873 (cell).