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Trustee Archive
For many decades, Israelis and Palestinians have waged a bitter and bloody struggle over land 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 now live below the poverty level of $2/day. At least 7 wars have been fought between these neighbors since 1987. These wars have often destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure and claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian children and civilians. A smaller number of Israelis have also lost their lives. Results of one Palestinian poll showed mixed views on long-term peace prospects in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The two-state solution has lost some support amongst them, and only a small minority support a one-state solution encompassing Israelis and Palestinians with equal rights for all - or expect that Israel would ever agree to such an option. The current Israeli government firmly rejects a two-state solution to this crisis, but many analysts believe this is the only practical solution which could halt the endless violence. The last remaining option is continued subjugation. Each year, we provide Israel with $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 very young children and the elderly. It is estimated that 240 Israelis were also kidnapped and taken into Gaza as hostages - about half of which have since been released. Israel’s defense forces responded to this terror attack with massive air strikes targeting Hamas and dropping 6,000 bombs in the first six days while destroying several densely populated neighborhoods in northern Gaza. Since then, more than 30,000 Palestinians, 75% of them women and children - including 250 children under the age of one - have been killed. Experts estimate the Israeli military campaign in Gaza is now among the deadliest and most destructive in recent history - surpassing the razing of Syria’s Aleppo, Ukraine’s Mariupol and the Allied bombing of Nazi Germany. This destruction includes thousands of homes as well as 70% of schools, all hospitals, at least 110 mosques and churches, and countless businesses. Gazans are now experiencing acute shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel. Starvation and disease are now commonplace in today’s Gaza Strip.
It is estimated that more than 16,000 unguided “dumb” bombs have been dropped on Gaza, a tactic that critics say is akin to bombing indiscriminately. These mostly American-made weapons also include more than 500 of our 2,000-pound “bunker-busters.” Hamas has stated that the October attacks were in response to the Egyptian-Israel blockade on Gaza, continued illegal Israeli settlements and settler violence, the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and restrictions on movement from Gaza - which has been a de facto prison camp for decades. Critics believe Hamas cannot be destroyed by Israel’s current actions without destroying the reason for its existence, saying Israel must accept a two-state solution and Palestinian statehood for Gaza and the West Bank. The Biden administration is now considering formally recognizing a Palestinian state even before a final cease-fire occurs. Biden has also begun airdrops of food and supplies directly into these war-torn neighborhoods. Many believe the Netanyahu Government will not alter its tactics until we force them to do so by withholding our economic and military aid to his nation
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 |
April 08, 2024 |
| Poll Closing Date |
April 14, 2024 |
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