From Brit Tzedek v’Shalom
Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and John Ensign (R-NV) are circulating a deeply problematic sign-on letter to Secretary Rice (see full text below) that asks her to promote a policy of banning ALL contact with Palestinian moderates such as President Mahmoud Abbas, if the new unity government does not explicitly agree to all of the Quartet’s requirements. Senators will be faced with intense pressure to sign the letter early this week, leaving little time to consider its repercussions. Call your Senators NOW and urge them NOT TO SIGN the Nelson-Ensign letter to Rice!

This so-called “pro-Israel” letter suggests that the U.S., Israel, and the international community prohibit contact with ALL members of the Palestinian Authority if it does not meet the Quartet requirements: recognize Israel, renounce violence, and abide by previous agreements. This would prevent diplomatic engagement with moderate Palestinians who seek peace with Israel, such as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who remains the key Palestinian negotiator in any unity government, and other Fatah and independent members of the Palestinian Authority.

At a time when the U.S. should be supporting forces of moderation among the Palestinians, this letter weakens those forces and demonstrates to the Palestinian people that moderation brings them nothing.

Moreover, this letter is in direct opposition to the wait-and-see approach taken by Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert met with President Abbas on Sunday and plans to meet him again , and Secretary Rice is actively trying to reinvigorate the peace process. This is not the time to shut down critically needed diplomatic engagement.

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