[Peace-discuss] Faith Forum on Middle East Peace: Don't punish Palestinians for signing treaties

Tue Jan 13 16:46:11 EST 2015

"Rand Paul really, really, sucks,
while in contrast,
Hillary Clinton doesn't suck."

On 01/14/2015 03:58 AM, Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss wrote:
> JFP's alert is here:
>
> Rand Paul: Accept Palestinians’ Right to Join the ICC
> http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rand-paul-accept-palestinian?source=c.em&r_by=1135580
>
> Code Pink's alert is here:
>
> Rand Paul: Accept Palestinians' Right to Join the ICC
> http://codepink.salsalabs.com/o/424/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=7244
>
> I wrote about this here:
>
> Rand Paul: Kicking Palestinians Is a Freebie
> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/rand-paul-palestine-icc_b_6445974.html
>
> ====
>
>
> *Faith Forum on Middle East Peace*
>
> *January 2015*
>
> *Tell your elected officials:  Don't punish the Palestinians for 
> signing international treaties and conventions, including the Rome 
> Statute of the International Criminal Court*
>
> 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.
>
> Israel responded by freezing $127.6 million in tax revenues it 
> collects on behalf of the Palestinians, and an Israeli official 
> reportedly 
> <http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.635144>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 opposition 
> <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/01/235595.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE>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.”
>
> 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.
>
> Some in Congress are calling for immediate punitive measures. Senator 
> Rand Paul introduced a bill 
> <http://www.paul.senate.gov/?p=sponsored_legislation>that would stop 
> US aid to the Palestinian Authority until the Palestinians withdraw 
> their ICC bid, and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen issued a statement 
> <http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/all-us-funds-palestinian-authority-must-be-immediately-suspended-after-pa-signs-rome>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.”
>
> 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.
>
> **
>
> *Call on Congress and the president to:*
>
> **
>
> ·*Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for joining international 
> treaties and conventions and placing themselves and the conflict under 
> the scrutiny of international law*
>
> ·*Urge Israel to release tax revenues belonging to the Palestinians *
>
> **
>
> Sample letter:
>
> Dear _________________,
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> I am also aware that there is movement in Congress to consider 
> punishing the Palestinians by cutting off US aid.
>
> 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.
>
> I therefore ask you to:
>
> ·Refrain from punishing the Palestinians for joining international 
> treaties and conventions and placing themselves and the conflict under 
> the scrutiny of international law
>
> ·Urge Israel to release tax revenues belonging to the Palestinians
>
> Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you.
>
> With appreciation for your service,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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