ISRAEL-PALESTINE: Tell your senators, “Support a negotiated deal with Iran”

from the Faith Forum on Middle East Policy

NOTE: Pax Christi USA is a member of the Faith Forum. This is their “Third Thursday for Israel-Palestine” action for March. 

A peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue is in the best interest of its neighbors in the region – including the Israelis and Palestinians – as well as the best interest of the United States and the world.  The U.S. and five other nations are currently engaged in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, with the hope of reaching a framework agreement this month and a comprehensive agreement by the end of June.  Such an agreement would offer a mechanism to monitor Iran’s compliance, a major accomplishment that could pave the way for much more robust and deliberate efforts to focus on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking without distraction.

As negotiations proceed, two bills in the Senate threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts.   S. 269 calls for new sanctions if a deal with Iran isn’t reached. S. 615 would require a delay in implementation if a deal is reached, require Congressional approval or disapproval of the deal, and add Congressional oversight on implementation of a deal.    Passing either of these bills could undermine negotiations at this important juncture.

Urge your Senators to support a negotiated solution with Iran. Call on them to oppose S. 269 and S. 615.

Read here a letter from 50 organizations urging the Senate to reject S. 615, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act.

For more information on the proposed legislation, see Americans for Peace Now’s Legislative Round-Up.

Contact your Senators today – urge them to support a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Click here to get their contact information.

Sample Letter, Email, Call Script:

Dear Senator,

As a person of faith who seeks a peaceful world, I urge you to support the current diplomatic effort by the U.S. and five other countries to engage with Iran to reach a resolution regarding its nuclear program.

As negotiations proceed, two bills in the Senate threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts. S. 269 calls for new sanctions if a deal with Iran isn’t reached. S. 615 would require a delay in implementation if a deal is reached, require Congressional approval or disapproval of the deal, and add Congressional oversight on implementation of a deal. Passing either of these bills could undermine negotiations at this important juncture.

I urge you to oppose S. 269 and S. 615, in order to give room for diplomacy to work and to address this important regional issue.  Progress in these negotiations could result in renewed energy and focus on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your name