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Mobilization for Palestine: 2 Day Event Results in 40 Visits to "Lobby Congress for Peace"

Posted on Wednesday May 15, 2002

During a National Mobilization for Palestine organized by the Arab American Institute and cosponsored by 25 other organizations, more than 200 Arab Americans spent Tuesday “Lobbying for Peace”. The participants, who gathered from 22 states, heard from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and were briefed on recent polling data and foreign policy issues in preparation for more than 40 meetings with congressional offices.

Arab Americans, unhappy with recent one-sided congressional resolutions in support of Israel, are asking Congress members to work instead to support a balanced U.S. policy in the region. The constituents identified three issues for their meetings: allocating $200 million in humanitarian relief for Palestinians, support for H.Res 394 (supports UN Resolutions 1397 and 1402), and the need for a positive U.S. response to the Arab League peace initiative.

On Monday, May 13, participants heard from Aaron David Miller, Sr. Advisor for Arab-Israeli Negotiations at the State Department. During a lengthy and open exchange, community members challenged Miller and asked that the State Department take a more balanced role in mediating efforts between Palestinians and Israelis. The group also heard from PLO legal adviser Michael Tarazi regarding the latest developments in Palestine and the next steps in Palestinian negotiating efforts. Later in the evening, those gathered heard a moving eyewitness account from Adam Shapiro of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Shapiro recounted the human rights abuses he witnessed in Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns and villages.

After hearing from Congressman Issa and Senator Stabenow on May 14, Arab Americans heard from a distinguished panel of experts just before heading off to their lobbying appointments. The panel included Dr. Steven Kull, Director University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes, Dr. Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Chair at University of Maryland, Jewish Peace Lobby President Dr. Jerome Segal and American Near East Refugee Aid Vice President Phillp Davies. The experts focused on public attitudes on U.S. Mideast policy.

“After recent resolutions expressing uncritical support for Israel despite its overwhelming use of force and destruction of Palestinian property, we felt it was crucial that Congress hear from Americans who care about peace and support a balanced U.S. policy in the Mideast. Anti-Palestinian legislation is unproductive and hurts our country’s regional interests. Arab Americans feel a particular responsibility to build understanding of how America’s interests are impacted by these actions. This is what our two-day mobilization has emphasized, and it is what we will continue to do in the coming weeks and through the elections in November,” commented AAI President Dr. James J. Zogby.