Congress votes to support violence and end peace process in Middle East

Congress votes to fuel more violence and block peace process
May 24, 2006
The Palestinian American Federation

Press Release

The Palestinian American Federation expresses its disappointment with the passing of HR4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. The vote count was 361 yeas, 37 nays, 9 presents (abstentions), and 25 not voting (Roll Call Vote No. 181).

It is a sad day in the history of a country that prides itself on the principles of "Liberty and Justice for all" This bill places the Palestinian People in great danger and would exacerbate a human catastrophe. This bill targets Palestinian families and children, and deprives them of their basic human needs by our Congress.

Instead our Congress should have voted "NO" to this bill to assure that the Palestinian families and children will be treated in a manner that would reflect our values that human lives are valuable.

A " NO" vote would have sent a message to the World of our intense desire to achieve a just and lasting peace. Our American values of compassion and charity were silenced where they should have been emphasized instead.

This vote was not a vote for peace, it was not a vote for America, it was a vote for more violence and more bloodshed.

As Rep. John Dingell ( D-MI) simply put it" Peace in the Middle East is not going to be achieved at gunpoint. It is going to be achieved by negotiations, by people working together; and that process may be ugly, dirty and slow, but it is the only process that will work."... "Our purpose should be to look to the well-being of the United States, craft a policy which is good for this country. And that policy can only be one which is good for Israel and for the Palestinian people, one which is fair to all, one which puts the United States as a friend and an honest broker of peace to both parties where we can be so accepted

Please go to the link below to find out which way your congressman voted, send him a thank you note if he voted NO, but if he voted YES, before you blame him ask yourself when was the last time he/she heard from you? Educate him, get involved.

(Roll Call Vote No. 181).

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