June 19, 2007

Legislation calling for a Middle East envoy to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the focus of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's lobbying efforts during Tuesday's visit to Capitol Hill.

The lobbying day caps a three-day annual conference held by the progressive grassroots organization, which has criticized the Bush administration for contributing to the Palestinian political breakdown, giving way to the rise of Hamas, by not engaging with the Palestinian national unity.

Following the split between Palestinian political factions with Hamas's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Authority government now should be given the space to reconstitute the unity government, Brit Tzedek President Marcia Freedman said at a reception held Monday night.

She also said, "We believe that the US must engage constructively with a Palestinian unity government, in whatever form it is reconstituted, no matter who is in the governing coalition."

Freedman was joined by Representatives David Price (D-North Carolina), Lois Capps (D-California) and Susan Davis (D-California). Davis is one of the sponsors of the House resolution urging a Middle East envoy. On the Senate side, Dianne Feinstein (D-California) also introduced a bill pushing for the appointment of such an official to help work towards a two-state solution.