Urge President Obama to support UN Resolution on Israeli settlements

(CHICAGO 01/24/2011) – A new resolution condemning the construction of colonial settlements in Occupied Palestine was submitted to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, despite strong objections by the United States. The Palestinian Authority’s resolution, which states the settlements contravene international law, is co-sponsored by at least 125 countries, including South Africa.

(CHICAGO 01/24/2011) – A new resolution condemning the construction of colonial settlements in Occupied Palestine was submitted to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, despite strong objections by the United States. The Palestinian Authority’s resolution, which states the settlements contravene international law, is co-sponsored by at least 125 countries, including South Africa.

In addition, members of think tanks, academics and politicians from both sides of the political aisle, have issued statements urging the United States to vote in favor of the resolution.

Yet, U.S. officials remain stubborn in the United States’ unconditional support of Israel and its inhumane policies and have warned Palestinians against pushing the Security Council to pass the measure. The U.S. is one of five countries that have veto power in the Security Council. The other four countries - Britain, China, France and Russia -- have all indicated they would probably vote for the resolution, according to published reports.

“The United States’ lone position on this resolution really highlights the hypocrisy in our foreign policy. The Palestinians are attempting to resolve a very significant obstacle to peace through the appropriate legal and diplomatic channels, yet the U.S. remains obdurate in its blind support of Israel and its policies,” said Dr. Hatem Bazian, AMP chairman and professor of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. “This stance just further weakens the U.S. standing in the Arab and Muslim worlds and threatens our national interests.”

AMP is calling upon our supporters and all people of conscience to contact President Barack Obama to urge him to support the Palestinian resolution. Today, more than 500,000 colonizers live in settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The settlements violate international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and several UN Resolutions.

Take Action

Call the White House and tell President Obama that allowing Israel to continue to build settlements with impunity hurts U.S. standing in the world and calls into question America’s position as an ‘honest broker’ in the Middle East. The global community – including the Arab and Muslim world – views the United State’s unconditional support for Israel while ignoring its abysmal record on human rights as hypocritical. This, in turn, weakens U.S. national security, both at home and abroad.

Talking Points

• Please remain polite and professional.
• Settlements are illegal according to international law.
• Israeli is using settlements as a way to confiscate more Palestinian land and to force the indigenous Palestinian population into isolated Bantustans.
• Supporting the UN Resolution would go a long way in improving the United States’ image in the global community.
• The resolution is supported by more than 100 countries, as well as by diplomats, religious leaders, academics and politicians around the world.

Contact

Call the White House at 202.456.1414 or fill out this form