Mr. President: Make Israel-Palestine A Priority

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Author: scme

Started: February 2, 2009, 8:56:01 pm

Target: President Barack Obama

Category: Government & Politics

Supporters:

133

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

Dear Mr. President:

As the students in the United States and the leaders of on-campus organizations and activities relating to Middle East issues, we would like to congratulate you on your election as the 44th President of the United States, a momentous and exciting moment in our nation’s history. We were encouraged by your effort during the transition to adopt a grassroots and inclusive approach to decision-making, by inviting all Americans to share their diverse opinions and ideas as you formulate new foreign policy goals.

In this spirit, we would like to offer a few critical recommendations regarding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly in light of the latest round of violence in Israel and Gaza. The situation in Israel and Gaza has polarized students across our campus, sparking intense debates that have created a heated and uncomfortable atmosphere for learning. In the name of reconciliation and peace, both in the Middle East and across university campuses in America, we urge you to consider these brief suggestions. If adopted, we are confident that these steps will help to rebuild America’s image as a moral leader across the globe, improve our standing throughout the Middle East, and ultimately, help to resolve the seemingly intractable Arab-Israeli conflict. These steps will send a strong signal of your intention to pursue a new course in the Middle East, and help to spark the change that we, and the world, have been awaiting:

Elevate the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict as a pressing and urgent priority. While we recognize the economy will compete for your immediate attention, we urge you to ensure that the situation in Israel-Palestine remains a primary focus of American foreign policy.

Signal to the American people that you intend to pursue a balanced and even-handed approach in Israel-Palestine. You should also travel to the Middle East, in order to directly communicate to the people of the region your resolve to pursue a new strategy. Distancing yourself from the Bush Administration, and indicating your desire to start anew, will help America to regain its footing throughout the region.

Follow through on your campaign pledge to pursue a new approach to foreign policy based upon the principles of direct diplomacy and listening, by engaging all relevant actors in the Arab-Israeli conflict in the pursuit of a two-state solution. We believe that in the recent past, the isolationism and unwillingness to hold discussions with all parties has only fueled extremism throughout the region.

We recognize that you will be confronted with a host of complex domestic and global challenges in your first months in office. We also understand that resolving the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict might seem too difficult or politically risky, particularly in light of the recent violence in the Gaza Strip. We hope, however, that the magnitude of the challenge ahead will not prevent you from taking an immediate, clear stand on this issue. We support and thank you for your consideration, and we welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff, to personally convey our ideas and support, in the coming days.

Sincerely,

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Added by scme @ February 2, 2009, 9:45 pm
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IMPORTANT: When signing the letter, please include your college and class year in the comments box (where it initially says "I support this petition"). This allows us to show the President that this issue matters greatly to young Americans.

Example: University of California-Berkeley, Class of 2010

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Added by scme @ February 4, 2009, 1:27 pm
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IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME AND CLASS YEAR IN THE COMMENTS BOX WHEN YOU SIGN THE LETTER!

IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT