<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote">JFP's alert is here:</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">Rand Paul: Accept Palestinians’ Right to Join the ICC<br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><a href="http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rand-paul-accept-palestinian?source=c.em&r_by=1135580" target="_blank">http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rand-paul-accept-palestinian?source=c.em&r_by=1135580</a><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">Code Pink's alert is here:</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">Rand Paul: Accept Palestinians' Right to Join the ICC<br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><a href="http://codepink.salsalabs.com/o/424/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7244" target="_blank">http://codepink.salsalabs.com/o/424/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7244</a><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">I wrote about this here:</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">Rand Paul: Kicking Palestinians Is a Freebie<br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/rand-paul-palestine-icc_b_6445974.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/rand-paul-palestine-icc_b_6445974.html</a><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">====<div><div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.3636360168457px"><b>Faith Forum on Middle East Peace</b></span></p><div><div class="h5"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">January
2015</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Tell your elected officials: Don't punish the Palestinians for signing
international treaties and conventions, including the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Following the defeat of a UN
Security Council resolution that would have set parameters and a timeline for addressing
the Israeli-Palestinian impasse, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas signed a
number of international treaties and conventions including the Rome Statute of
the International Criminal Court (ICC), paving the way for Palestine to join
the ICC. Palestine’s membership in the
ICC is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2015 if everything proceeds
according to protocol.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Israel responded by freezing
$127.6 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, and
an Israeli official </span><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.635144" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">reportedly</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt">
indicated this “is only a first step in response to the Palestinian moves at
the United Nations.” In a January 5,
2015 press briefing the US State Department expressed </span><a href="http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/01/235595.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">opposition</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt">
to the freeze in funds, calling it an action that raised tensions. At the same time, the State Department
spokesperson called the Palestinian move to join the ICC “counterproductive,”
saying, “we’re deeply troubled by the Palestinian action regarding the ICC.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Current US legislation does
not require a halt to US aid to the Palestinians for signing treaties,
including the Rome Treaty, but it would require a cut off of aid if the ICC
undertakes an investigation of Israeli actions at the behest of the
Palestinians or with their support.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Some in Congress are calling
for immediate punitive measures. Senator
Rand Paul introduced a </span><a href="http://www.paul.senate.gov/?p=sponsored_legislation" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">bill</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt"> that
would stop US aid to the Palestinian Authority until the Palestinians withdraw
their ICC bid, and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen issued a </span><a href="http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/all-us-funds-palestinian-authority-must-be-immediately-suspended-after-pa-signs-rome" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">statement</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt">
saying in part, “Congress must do everything in its power to block funds to the
PA and to any UN entity that recognizes a non-existent State of Palestine to
make it clear to Abu Mazen that there will be consequences to his schemes at
the United Nations and other international organizations like the International
Criminal Court.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt">Rather than punish the
Palestinians for moves to sign treaties and conventions, including those
leading to Palestinian membership in the ICC, the US should support such
non-violent means of pursuing justice.
It also should be recognized that in joining the ICC, the door will be
open to investigations of both Israeli and Palestinian actions. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Call on Congress and the president to:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Refrain from
punishing the Palestinians for joining international treaties and conventions
and placing themselves and the conflict under the scrutiny of international law</span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size:12pt">Urge Israel
to release tax revenues belonging to the Palestinians </span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></b></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sample letter: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear _________________,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the defeat of a UN Security Council resolution that
would have set parameters and a timeline for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian
impasse, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas signed a number of international
treaties and conventions including the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court (ICC), paving the way for Palestine to join the ICC. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The government of Israel responded by freezing $127.6
million in tax revenues belonging to the Palestinians. I agree with the US Department of State in
opposing this action by the government of Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am also aware that there is movement in Congress to
consider punishing the Palestinians by cutting off US aid.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rather than punish the Palestinians for moves to sign
treaties and conventions, including those leading to Palestinian membership in
the ICC, the US should support such non-violent means of pursuing justice. It also should be recognized that in joining
the ICC, the door will be open to investigations of both Israeli and
Palestinian actions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I therefore ask you to:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for
joining international treaties and conventions and placing themselves and the
conflict under the scrutiny of international law</p>
<p><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Urge Israel to release tax revenues belonging to
the Palestinians</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With appreciation for your service,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <br></p>
</div></div></div></div>
</div></div></div><br></div>
</div><br></div>
</div><br></div>