Blumenauer won't help stop Israel's illegal settlements.

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Written by Peter Miller Peter Miller
Category: News News
Published: 09 May 2008 09 May 2008
Last Updated: 09 May 2008 09 May 2008
Created: 09 May 2008 09 May 2008
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Dear AUPHR supporters:

I just got off the phone with one of Representative Blumenauer's staff people. He refuses to sign the letter being circulated by Representatives Kucinich and Hinchey criticizing the settlements and asking for action from the administration.

Apparently there was some language in the letter he did not agree with which I did not go into. The staffer said that Blumenauer did sign some kind of Gaza letter calling for dialog. I said that all this talk without action will lead to the end of any chance of a Palestinian state.

Blumenauer's contact information and the text of the Kucinich letter follow.

Sincerely,
Peter Miller
www.auphr.org

You may contact Earl Blumenauer at:
http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=206

PORTLAND:
729 N.E. Oregon Street
Suite 115
Portland, OR 97232
t: (503) 231-2300
f: (503) 230-5413

WASHINGTON D.C.:
2267 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
t: (202) 225-4811
f: (202) 225-8941


The text of the Kucinich-Hinchey letter:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/kucinich-hinchey-secretar_b_100715.html

We wish to applaud your recent statement, following your meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, that "[s]ettlement activity should stop -- expansion should stop." We commend this sensible approach and urge the Administration to stand firm on this policy.

As you know, construction of more settlements will undermine a two-state solution. A peaceful resolution to conflict can only be achieved with the support and trust of both Israelis and Palestinians.

For that reason, the Administration's peace initiative should include an effective diplomatic response to the Israeli government's March 31, 2008 announcement regarding plans to build hundreds of new settlements on occupied land in the West Bank. We urge you to use your influence to ensure that the commitment to a "settlement freeze" made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Annapolis peace conference is fulfilled.

In addition to undermining the peace process, settlement expansion contravenes international law.

Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which states, that "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies." Your continued emphasis on halting settlement activity is critical to ongoing peace negotiations.

We look forward to your continued commitment to this important issue.

 

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