Brit Tzedek wants a Middle East envoy soon

Another action alert is circulating, this time from a Jewish peace group. Brit Tzedek V’Shalom is urging its supporters to ask the president-elect to appoint a "high-level Middle East envoy in the first 100 days of his administration."

The letter the group will be sending, on behalf of those who respond to the appeal, states, "As you make decisions regarding your Cabinet, it is absolutely crucial that you also choose an envoy to the region, a diplomat empowered to mediate and negotiate on behalf of the administration and provide full-time, vigorous, on-the-ground engagement in the peace process. To be effective, your choice must have the respect of Israelis, Palestinians, and the American people, and ready access to the Oval Office."

Here’s the full alert:

 

Dear Friend of Brit Tzedek,

Last week, the world stood transfixed as Barack Obama made his
first speech as President-elect. "This victory alone is not the
change we seek," he reminded voters across the nation. "It is
only the chance for us to make that change."
http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

American Jewish peace activists must take this message to heart:
The election of a new President does not mean our work is done.
On the contrary, as we close the door on eight years of
half-hearted diplomacy, it is time to take action that can lead
to real change.

Tell President-elect Obama we are counting on him to appoint a
high-level Middle East Envoy in the first 100 days of his
administration.
http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations are fragile, frustration
is growing, and the stakes are high. As he makes decisions
regarding his Cabinet, President-elect Obama must also choose an
envoy to the Middle East, a diplomat empowered to mediate and
negotiate on behalf of the administration and provide full-time,
vigorous, on-the-ground engagement in the peace process. To be
effective, President-elect Obama’s choice must have the respect
of Israelis, Palestinians, and the American people, and ready
access to the Oval Office. Moreover, such an envoy will pave the
way for the meeting of the Middle East Quartet (the European
Union, United Nations, United States, and Russia) planned as a
follow up to Israeli elections in February.

Nearly 800 rabbis and cantors nationwide have endorsed the
appointment in Brit Tzedek’s "Time to Choose Peace: A Rabbinic
Letter to President-Elect Obama."
http://obamaletter.org/

In their phone call last week, President-elect Obama and Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert "agreed on the need to continue to advance
the peace process." Now is the time for President-elect Obama to
back this commitment with action.

Please contact President-elect Obama and express your support
for a Middle East Envoy!
http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

L’Shalom,

Sue Swartz, Chair of Advocacy
Deepa Domansky, Washington Liaison and Advocacy Coordinator

PS. Please share this Action Alert with family, friends, and
colleagues, and tell them about Brit Tzedek v’Shalom.

You can take action on this alert via the web at:
http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/forward/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

[Action Alert] Tell President-Elect Obama: Appoint a Special
Middle East Envoy!

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this
alert by going to the following URL:

http://ga3.org/campaign/president_elect_appoint_mideast_envoy/x7xx5i3r97kwdw36?

Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Senator Barack Obama

—-THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME—-
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As an American Jew, I welcome your commitment to make
Israeli-Palestinian peace a top priority of your administration.
As you said in your victory speech on election night: "To those
who seek peace and security: We support you."

As a first step, I encourage you to appoint a high-level Middle
East envoy within the first 100 days of your administration.
Nearly 800 rabbis and cantors nationwide have endorsed this
appointment at a time when Israeli-Palestinian peace
negotiations are fragile, frustration is growing, and the stakes
are high.

As you make decisions regarding your Cabinet, it is absolutely
crucial that you also choose an envoy to the region, a diplomat
empowered to mediate and negotiate on behalf of the
administration and provide full-time, vigorous, on-the-ground
engagement in the peace process. To be effective, your choice
must have the respect of Israelis, Palestinians, and the
American people, and ready access to the Oval Office. Moreover,
such an envoy will pave the way for the meeting of the Middle
East Quartet following the Israeli elections.

Thank you for agreeing with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
on "the need to continue to advance the peace process." Now is
the time to back this commitment with action.

—-END OF LETTER TO BE SENT—-

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

_________________________________________________