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Trustee Archive
For many decades, Israelis and Palestinians have waged a bitter and bloody struggle over lands they both claim by historical right. In 2007, Israel instituted a blockade on the Gaza Strip and closed its border with Egypt. Since then, the Palestinian economy has been crippled by Israeli restrictions on its commercial trade and a ban on its exports, which had accounted for most of Gaza’s income. Most Palestinians are living below the poverty level of $2/day. At least 7 wars have been fought between these neighbors since 1987. These wars have destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure and claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian children and civilians. A relatively few number of Israelis have also lost their lives. Results of a recent Palestinian poll show mixed views on long-term peace issues among Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The two-state solution has lost some support and only a very small minority support a “one-state solution” with equal rights for all, or expect Israel would ever agree to that idea. Each year, we provide Israel with nearly $4 billion in military and economic aid while the Palestinians receive about $350 million in economic assistance.
On Oct.7, 2023 the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas breached the barriers between Israel and Gaza and brutally murdered 1,200 Israeli civilians, including the elderly and very young children. It is estimated that at least 240 Israelis were also kidnapped and taken into Gaza as hostages, about half of which have since been released. Israel’s defense forces responded with massive air strikes targeting Hamas by dropping 6,000 bombs in the first six days, destroying several densely populated neighborhoods in northern Gaza, and have killed more than 18,000 Palestinians, most of them women and at least 8,000 children. It is estimated that more than 13,000 unguided “dumb” bombs have been dropped on Gaza in which critics claim to be indiscriminate bombing. Gazans are now experiencing acute shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. A small number of trucks have been allowed to transport these scarce goods to Palestinian civilians. Hamas stated that their attacks were in response to the Egyptian-Israel blockade on Gaza, continued settlements, Israeli settler violence, the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Israel's attacks on women, and restrictions on movement between Israel and Gaza.
Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.5344 - Two-State Solution Act (117th Congress 2021-2022)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX) |
- I oppose reforming current Israeli-Palestinian policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
- I support addressing U.S. policy and related activities to preserve conditions for a two-state solution to resolve territorial disputes between Israel and Palestine by:
1.) Prohibiting the United States from providing support for projects in geographic regions that came under Israeli control after June 5, 1967. It also prohibits the use of any U.S. security assistance, defense articles, or defense services provided to Israel for efforts to annex or exercise permanent control over any part of the West Bank or Gaza.
2.) Requiring goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza that are imported into the United States to indicate those areas as the country of origin on their labels.
3.) Expanding the scope of certain foreign and development assistance to foster initiatives, including shared educational opportunities and youth activities, that connect Israelis and Palestinians. Additionally, the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development may jointly award grants to private, nonprofit organizations to promote human rights and democracy, strengthen civil society, and otherwise address the needs of the Palestinian people.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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| Winning Option
»» No issues were voted |
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I support addressing U.S. policy and related activities to preserve conditions for a two-state solution to resolve territorial disputes between Israel and Palestine by:
1.) Prohibiting the United States from providing support for projects in geographic regions that came under Israeli control after June 5, 1967. It also prohibits the use of any U.S. security assistance, defense articles, or defense services provided to Israel for efforts to annex or exercise permanent control over any part of the West Bank or Gaza.
2.) Requiring goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza that are imported into the United States to indicate those areas as the country of origin on their labels.
3.) Expanding the scope of certain foreign and development assistance to foster initiatives, including shared educational opportunities and youth activities, that connect Israelis and Palestinians. Additionally, the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development may jointly award grants to private, nonprofit organizations to promote human rights and democracy, strengthen civil society, and otherwise address the needs of the Palestinian people.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
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- Representative
If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.5344 - Two-State Solution Act (117th Congress 2021-2022), or a similar version thereof.
- Alliance for Middle East Peace
If elected as a trustee, Alliance for Middle East Peace will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for peace between Israel and Palestine.
About: ALLMEP is the largest and fastest growing network of Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders. ALLMEP is a coalition of over 125 organizations—and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities. We add stability in times of crisis, foster cooperation that increases impact, and build an environment conducive to peace over the long term.
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- No trustee votes received.
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| Poll Opening Date |
December 25, 2023 |
| Poll Closing Date |
December 31, 2023 |
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