Call to Action from J Street

With the winds of change sweeping the region, sudden Palestinian reconciliation, and Prime Minister Netanyahu visiting the U.S. next week for important meetings and speeches – there is more awareness than ever in the region that this is a time for decisions and action when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But there is loud opposition to the reconciliation of Fatah and Hamas here in the United States, in particular on Capitol Hill, with some in Congress calling for an immediate end to all U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority.

I've just emailed my Representative and Senators to tell them to read the New York Times editorial, "A Fatah-Hamas Deal," which lays out precisely the mix of caution and realism that I believe is appropriate at this moment.

Click here to email your member of Congress and tell them to make bold peace moves, not rash decisions on aid.

'Israel must take charge of its destiny'

'Israel must take charge of its destiny' - Israel News, Ynetnews

President Shimon Peres meets with forces behind new Israeli peace initiative, who warn that unless government reignites peace process, Israel may find itself in a position of weakness.

I'm Home, Gilad's Not

Returned home Monday morning to read in the NY Times about our meeting with President Abbas. What the article didn't mention was that during the meeting and in light of the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, we pressed Abbas to use his influence to secure the release of Israeli Gilad Shalit, who Hamas has held now for five years. A report yesterday suggested some movement on this front. Hamas quickly shot it down.

Happy 63rd!

NY Times Editorial on Fatah-Hamas Deal

It’s too early for a cut-off [of aid to the Palestinians]. The money is Washington’s main leverage on the new government. A cut-off would shift the political balance dangerously toward Hamas. . . .

It is time for Mr. Obama, alone or with the quartet, to put a map and deal on the table. If Bin Laden’s death has given the president capital to spend, all the better. The Israelis and Palestinians are not going to break the stalemate on their own. And more drift will only lead to more desperation and more extremism. Read the rest here.

 

Last Night

It's late and I've just come back from Neve Tzedek where I sat with some friends and had a few drinks. Rather than blog about events and who we saw and what they said, I thought I'd just convey some thoughts.

I'd like to begin by wishing my wife a Happy Anniversary, our 17th (and Happy Mother's Day, too). It's not easy sharing your husband with the State of Israel. Love you, Deb.

For anyone who knows me or has read this blog, they know I have a deep personal attachment to this place that I cannot explain, and perhaps that is the source of my attachment. I've seen a lot here in the last two weeks, and no matter how much has changed on the surface, it's the same place I left 16 years ago. My friends haven't changed, they just live in different homes and have families of their own now. In many ways, it seems as if not more than a week has passed since 1995.

I count myself as very fortunate to have been on this mission. The people I've met and been around during the last week, particularly the young people involved with J Street and the various organizations from the peace camp, have given me great hope for Israel's future. If there are people that don't believe J Streeters are pro-Israel, it's only because they aren't paying attention. I spoke with a Knesset Member this evening who congratulated us on the work we have done, a refrain that not surprisingly, considering who we have met with, I have heard often during the past seven days. I thought the comment to be perfunctory and asked him what  we accomplished. "You have driven the right wing in Israel crazy," he answered. And so I was convinced.

I'm going to sign off for now. Tomorrow we'll be meeting with Kadima chair, Tzipi Livni, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In the next couple days, I hope to get some concluding thoughts together and share them on this blog.

In the meantime, one thing you should know is this is one tough place to leave.

Thanks for reading.

Tel Aviv

Heading for a quick run on the beach. Will try to find some time later today to write about last night's dinner with Anat Hoffman, who was arrested at the Wall for carrying a torah (women are not allowed to do so), and former IDF Chief of Staff, Dan Halutz, now with the Kadima party. Very lively discussion.