200+ Organizations Tell Congress No on Anti-Palestinian Legislation 

Tuesday, February 28 (Paterson, NJ)—The American Arab Forum, AAF, joined with the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation to deliver today a letter to Congress signed by more than 200 organizations opposing HR4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. 

The endorsing organizations faulted this resolution for including “many troubling provisions that would punish and isolate the Palestinian people for exercising their right to vote.”  HR4681 would restrict US humanitarian aid, designate Palestinian territory a “terrorist sanctuary”, prohibit official Palestinian diplomacy in the United States, and deny Palestinians assistance through international financial institutions.   

The endorsing organizations noted, “This unconstructive approach would only perpetuate the status quo of violence, military occupation, and human rights violations rather than promoting dialogue and a just, peaceful resolution to the conflict.”    

Endorsing organizations include the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Friends Service Committee, Black Voices for Peace, Council for the National Interest, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Green Party of the United States, Jewish Voice for Peace, National Association of Muslim American Women, Palestinian American Congress, Peace Action, Progressive Democrats of America, Tikkun, United for Peace and Justice, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom—US Section. 

To view the entire letter and all the endorsing organizations, click here: http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1188  

The letter was delivered to Congress two days before the House International Relations Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on US policy toward the Palestinians in the aftermath of parliamentary elections. 

Aref Assaf, President of AAF called for the defeat of the resolution. “Starving the Palestinians will only embolden extremists elements in their society. “  This not the right reward for their democratic choice.” Mr. Assaf stated.

The American Arab Forum is non-partisan, independent think-tank promoting better Arab American relations.