FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 20, 2007
CONTACT: Ori Nir - (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C. - Americans for Peace Now (APN) today urged President Bush not to miss the opportunity that the planned November Middle East peace parley represents.

In a letter to Bush, APN Chairman of the Board Franklin M. Fisher and President and CEO Debra DeLee and called on the President to grab the bull by the horns and to make sure the planned summit does not turn into another disappointment. The summit, says the letter, "marks the first opening in nearly a decade to make real progress toward peace and rekindle hope for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It is an opportunity that must not be squandered."

Sent on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, the letter says: "Mr. President, the past years have been replete with disappointments and missed opportunities, tragedy and fear, sadness and suffering. We urge you to do your utmost to ensure that next year, come Yom Kippur, the U.S. will not find itself repenting its failure to work hard enough, today, for peace."

Following is the full text of the letter:


Dear President Bush:

As you know, Jews around the world just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. As this New Year begins, we write to you on behalf of Americans for Peace Now (APN) to tell you that now is the time to push for peace. APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization whose mission is to enhance Israel's security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

At this time of renewal and reflection, as Jews prepare for the most important of our high holy days, Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - we are reminded of the words of Rabbi Hillel, one of Judaism's most eminent scholars. Rabbi Hillel famously asked, "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?"

These words have special meaning for us today, in light of your recently renewed focus on achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace. The achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace is of paramount interest to the United States, so for our own sake, we must pursue it. But the achievement of peace is also vital for the sake of Israelis, Palestinians, and all people in this troubled region, and for this reason, we must pursue it all the more urgently. And indeed, if the United States is serious about making progress toward peace, if not now, when?

The planned November Middle East peace parley marks the first opening in nearly a decade to make real progress toward peace and rekindle hope for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It is an opportunity that must not be squandered.


We cannot know at this point exactly what can or will be achieved at this meeting. However, we do know for certain that real success - meaning an outcome that brings the parties closer to peace - will require steadfast, determined, and hands-on U.S. leadership and engagement.

It is clear that both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sincerely want peace. It is equally clear that there is little mutual trust and confidence, rampant mutual suspicion, fragile public confidence on both sides in the prospects for achieving peace, and considerable domestic political opposition on both sides. Steadfast, focused, and intensive U.S. engagement is vital to bridging gaps, guaranteeing agreements, and helping the parties find their way through the inevitable impasses.

We applaud your decision to convene this meeting and urge you to invest the greatest possible energy and effort to ensure its success, and to ensure that it is followed up by a coherent strategy directed at achieving peace in the holy land.

Mr. President, the past years have been replete with disappointments and missed opportunities, tragedy and fear, sadness and suffering. We urge you to do your utmost to ensure that next year, come Yom Kippur, the U.S. will not find itself repenting its failure to work hard enough, today, for peace.

Sincerely,

Franklin Fisher Debra DeLee