May 5, 2008

The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) is urging citizens throughout the United States to write President George W. Bush, ahead of his May 13-18 visit the Middle East, emphasizing the need for "robust diplomatic leadership to create a climate in which negotiations for the establishment of a viable State of Palestine alongside a secure Israel can continue and yield substantive progress."

To write to President Bush today, click here: http://episcopal.grassroots.com/.

A recent EPPN alert, which is emailed to more than 21,000 Episcopalians, recognizes that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict "brings continuing pain to both Palestinians and Israelis and destabilizes the region."

The alert acknowledges that the hopes raised at the Annapolis conference, convened by Bush in November 2007, "are being dashed daily by both the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements, the crisis in Gaza, and ongoing violence by militant groups."

At the Annapolis conference, Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert agreed to launch formal peace talks and work for an agreement before the end of 2008 that would include "final status" issues such as borders, the future of Palestinian refugees and of Jerusalem.

The EPPN alert recognizes that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict "also threatens U.S. national security. A failed Annapolis process will only serve to strengthen extremist elements throughout the region."

Episcopal News Service