November 2, 2009
Dear XXXXX
Judge Richard Goldstone, a highly respected jurist from South Africa whose credentials are impeccable and who is a self-declared Zionist, lead a U.N. fact-finding mission to Gaza in April to investigate what had happened there during "Operation Cast Lead." The 575-page report Goldstone Report that resulted from his investigations, accusing both Israel and Hamas of war crimes violations, was immediately attacked by the Israeli government as biased and unfair.
Last week in a political move of the most cynical kind, Representatives Berman (D-CA) and Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), leadership of the U.S. House Foreign Relations Committee, introduced H Res 867, a bill that reads as though it were drafted by AIPAC, which it might well have been. H Res 867 is calling on the President and the Secretary of State to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration of the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict" in multilateral fora. Call your Members of Congress TODAY at 202-224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on this flawed legislation. If they have already co-sponsored the bill (check here) and tell them to withdraw their support. You can also email your Representative directly here!
Read Judge Goldstone's detailed response here! Use the US Campaign Talking Points/FAQ on the Goldstone Report
Let us know how your call went by clicking here
H Res 867 is politics of the worst kind-it is a crass attempt to suppress not only the truth of what Israelis and Palestinians did in Gaza, but any discussion of the issue at all. Thankfully, Judge Goldstone has sent a detailed response, which exposes the serious factual errors, mischaracterizations and blatant lies contained in the resolution. It is doubtful that the co-sponsors have even read the report or Goldstone's letter, but the bill has been scheduled for a floor vote this Tuesday, in an attempt to avoid any chance of debate or thoughtful decision. Please also fax or email a copy of Judge Goldstone's letter here to Representatives Berman and Ros-Lehtinen to your member of Congress. We cannot assume the letter was shared with other members. Representatives who are on the fence are making up their minds NOW, so your phone call is crucial! In light of this country's commitment to the universality of human rights, the United States should fully endorse and support the recommendations made in the Goldstone report and use its diplomatic weight to ensure that international institutions act upon the recommendations. We provide $3 billion for weapons and military equipment every year to one of the two parties alleged to have used those weapons illegally; we have more responsibility than any other country to ensure that serious investigations are undertaken of ALL alleged crimes, both Israeli and Palestinian.
Let your Representative know that the way forward to peace between Israel and Palestine must be built upon a foundation of fairness and respect for human rights and rule of law. Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jodie, Marina, Medea, Nancy, Paris, Rae, Suzanne, and Whitney
P.S. Week of Action! On November 4th, 2008 the Israeli military broke a four-month cease-fire with Hamas. Low-intensity warfare and an ongoing crippling siege then continued until Israel's Dec. 27-Jan 18 assault on the Gaza Strip. Today, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated even further, with 1.5 million civilians continuing to live amidst rubble, dependent on inadequate UN food deliveries, lacking even hearing aids and school books. Use the strategies and tools provided by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation to shine light on the issue and end Israel's illegal siege on Gaza!
4 years ago
