March 15, 2007

While thousands of American Israel Public Affairs Committee delegates traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for tough sanctions on Iran and no negotiations with the Palestinian Authority until it renounces terror and recognizes Israel, two other groups were urging the opposite.

Americans for Peace Now called on the Bush administration to change course and adopt a policy of "limited, constructive engagement" with Tehran. In a statement, the group recommended that the U.S. develop "a basket of meaningful diplomatic and economic carrots and sticks sufficient to persuade Iran to halt further development of its nuclear program."

Meanwhile, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom urged its supporters to call their senators and tell them not to sign a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, sponsored by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) that calls for "no direct aid and no contacts" with any members of the P.A. "that does not explicitly and unequivocally recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce terror and accept previous agreements."

"At a time when the U.S. should be supporting forces of moderation among the Palestinians, this letter weakens those forces and demonstrates to the Palestinian people that moderation brings them nothing," said Brit Tzedek in an e-mail to its backers.