Resolve to Support NGOs
By Bruce Taub, Olive Tree Democrats Cooridinator
September 21, 2008
As the occupation of Iraq continues to simmer and the threats of an attack on Iran come to a boil, the ongoing discord between Israel and the Palestinian people continues to exacerbate the relationship between countries in the Middle East. Because it is in the best interest of Americans, Israelis and Palestinians to strive for peace between the two parties, PDA supports the passage of
H. Res. 1369, "Recognizing nongovernmental organizations working to bring just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Sponsored by PDA Advisory Board member Barbara Lee of California and co-sponsored by 29 others, including PDA Advisory Board member and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, this resolution is simply an affirmation of the value of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that support Israeli and Palestinian grassroots people-to-people work.
While it does contain some language that PDA does not favor, those concerns are greatly outweighed by the resolution's unconditional support of "the provision of United States assistance to nongovernmental organizations to provide for basic human needs, the protection of basic human freedoms, and the promotion of human rights, nonviolence, and for a just and peaceful reconciliation."
All in all, this modest resolution represents a real breakthrough, and the
U.S. Campaign to End the Occupation, of which PDA is a member, has also urged its support. The bill will likely come up for a vote before Congress adjourns within the next two weeks.
In the name of national security, ask your member of Congress to support the grass roots work of NGO's working for a sustainable peace between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Click here to send an email to your member of Congress.
Join the Olive Tree Democrats focus group, contact Bruce@pdamerica.org.
Site Design by
Virgo Graphics
Web Development by
Turtle Island Web Design
Contact the PDA webmaster at .
Copyright © 2004-2009 Progressive Democrats of America • All text available for public use with appropriate attribution.
PDA National News RSS Feed