Peace & Palestine: ATFP founder Ziad Asali will testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on MIDDLE EAST PEACE March 4, 2010

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/userletter/?id=37219&letter_id=4747881071
Subject:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing- MIDDLE EAST PEACE: GROUND TRUTHS, CHALLENGES AHEAD

To:
President Barack Obama
Sen. Arlen Specter
Sen. Robert Casey
Rep. Todd Platts

March 1, 2010

Dear Senator Casey,

American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) founder, Ziad Asali, will testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Thursday, March 4. MIDDLE EAST PEACE: GROUND TRUTHS, CHALLENGES AHEAD (10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 4, 2010, 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building)

Please attend and listen carefully and respectfully to all he has to say for Palestine's sake- and for America's sake.

I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Ziad Asali and his organization for they have risen to the challenging task of doing all they can for peace and Palestine.

The ATFP is dedicated to "advocating that it is in the American national interest to promote an end to the conflict in the Middle East through a negotiated agreement that provides for two states - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security".... furthermore the "ATFP is strictly opposed to all acts of violence against civilians no matter the cause and no matter who the victims or perpetrators may be. The Task Force advocates the development of a Palestinian state that is democratic, pluralistic, non-militarized and neutral in armed conflicts." http://www.americantaskforce.org/about_u...

That sounds reasonable and right to me! And so do Dr. Asali's many inspiring op-eds on the importance of supporting Palestine: "By turning their attention to establishing the administrative and infrastructural framework of such a state, responsible Palestinians are doing their part to build the infrastructure of peace. They are paving their own way for the people of the Middle East to live in peace with security and dignity for all." Ziad Asali http://palestinenote.com/cs/blogs/blogs/...

Recently, the UNESCO chief voiced concern about Israel's announcement on holy sites : "UNESCO has been mandated by its member States to provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority in the fields of education and culture. It has been working with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian civil society to protect and preserve the cultural heritage sites in the West Bank and is committed to continue doing so, the agency stated." http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?Ne...

Please remember that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee helped create the United Nations: "The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights." http://www.un.org/en/

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world..." http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/...

The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2010 the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and has designated UNESCO to play a leading role in the celebration of the Year - capitalizing on the Organization's invaluable experience of over 60 years to advance "the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples". http://www.un.org/en/events/iyrc2010/...

Surely, with so many good and decent people doing all they can to help make this a better world for all people- and surely with our own understanding of the importance of fair and just laws, our Congress can step up to help shape firm support for a just and lasting negotiated peace in the Middle East- and an end to the cruel hostilities, the religious extremism, the hate mongering, the injustice and all the other many negative ramifications created by the Israel/Palestine conflict.

A secular, side by side, sovereign two state peace- a realistic and compassionate peace that fully respects international laws and basic human rights on all sides of every border.

It might seem impossible- but then again, not too long ago, so was the idea of putting a man on the moon. Ideologues were not the ones who created that inspiring moment in 1969 when American Astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the Eagle's footpad onto the moon's surface to proclaim "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind"... That inspiring moment, that zenith was the synthesis of human ingenuity made possible by the hard work of many nameless heroes whose dedication to their jobs helped make it happen.

Please do all you can help make Palestine and peace a reality... start by listening closely, carefully to those who honestly understand and care about the very real plight of the Palestinians.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

2010 the International Year for the Rapprochement of CulturesThe mosaic The Golden Rule by Norman Rockwell depicts people of different nationalities standing together with the inscribed words "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

Growing Gardens for Palestine