Local resident advocates for two-state resolution

Ipswich Chronicle

July 10, 2008

Philip Kuhn of Ipswich joined a delegation of twelve Boston area activists who traveled to Capitol Hill last week to advocate for vigorous United States engagement in facilitating a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As part of the Boston delegation of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom (the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace), Kuhn met with key aides to Rep. John Tierney, Rep. Edward Markey and Rep. Barney Frank. In his meetings, Kuhn emphasized the need for Congress to ensure the current administration continues to play an active role in the peace process, despite the fact that the president's term is coming to an end. He also discussed strategies for making a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a high priority for the next administration, and emphasized that such a resolution to this conflict will be a vital component of America's global security.

The Congressional meetings were a part of Brit Tzedek's annual National Advocacy Days program, which brought 150 American Jewish activists from across the country to Washington this year.

Speakers emphasized the change in atmosphere as Israel engages in indirect negotiations mediated by Turkey and Egypt, and affirmed that all sides in the conflict believe the U.S. must play the role of honest broker in order for negotiations to lead to a peace agreement.

Brit Tzedek, a grassroots organization of American Jews with over 38,000 supporters nationwide, was founded in 2002 to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Boston chapter, which numbers more than 3,000 supporters, is one of the organization's largest and most active chapters.

For information, visit www.btvshalom.org or e-mail boston@btvshalom.org.