Americans for Peace Now Commends Passage of House Resolution Recognizing Israel-Egypt Treaty

Today, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 282, a resolution introduced March 24, 2009 8th by Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) in honor of the 30th anniversary of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel." This timely resolution, which passed by a vote of 418-1, is reminder of the importance of the Israel-Egypt peace treaty and, in the words of the resolution, the example it set of "reconciliation following decades marked by nearly unremitting tension and confrontation..." APN strongly supported H. Res. 282 from the time of its introduction, mobilizing APN supporters to contact their representatives and urge them to support the measure (see our Action Alert at: http://www.peacenow.org/updates.asp?rid=0&cid=6081).

APN commends Reps. Fortenberry and Ellison for introducing H. Res. 282 and applauds the leadership of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as House leaders, for recognizing the value of this resolution and acting swiftly to bring it to the floor for passage.

Among other things, the resolution wisely notes that that "United States leadership played a decisive role in enabling Egypt and Israel to set aside longstanding animosities..." and that "despite the existence of tensions and grievances, the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel continues to challenge presuppositions about the intransigence of conflict in the Middle East and provides an enduring framework for facilitating dialogue..."

The resolution encourages "continued United States efforts to foster constructive initiatives to resolve existing conflicts and mitigate current and emerging threats to a just and lasting Middle East peace" and "calls for recognition of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel as a model mechanism upon which partner nations may build to overcome longstanding barriers to peace and effective mutual cooperation."

The contribution of the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty to Israeli security and to American interests in the region has been particularly clear in recent months, as Egypt has been the leading channel of communication between Israel and Hamas. Congressional support for Israel-Arab peace and for U.S. efforts to achieve peace sends a strong signal to the U.S. Administration, and to leaders in the Middle East.