Greater Middle East Diplomacy Update for September 23rd, 2011

Greater Middle East Diplomacy Update for Friday, September 23rd 2011:

Palestinian U.N. Bid, Matt's on the Road, and Diane Interviews Rep. Lee

"Millions of peoples across the Middle East and North Africa are employing nonviolent means to bring about widespread, far-reaching reforms... Nonviolent approaches to Palestinian self-determination…should similarly be encouraged."

--Joint Quaker Statement on Palestinian U.N. Bid

Palestinian Bid for Statehood at the U.N.

As the Palestinians move forward to ask the United Nations for statehood recognition, FCNL expresses concern that U.S. obstructionism could further fuel violent conflict in the Middle East. In a joint statement with the American Friends Service Committee and the Quaker United Nations Office in New York, we urge the Obama administration and Congress to welcome this nonviolent approach and to use U.S. leadership to offer a path towards lasting peace and security for all. Read the statement for specific recommendations that the U.S. could take to seize this opportunity.

Take Action: House Bill Threatens U.N. Funding and Middle East Peace

The U.S. House of Representatives could vote soon on legislation that would cripple the United Nations, inflame conflict in the Middle East and cut life-saving assistance to Palestinians. Please contact your representative today to urge a vote against this legislation on the House floor. Take action: ask your representative to vote against H.R. 2829. See FCNL’s letter to Congress opposing H.R. 2829, the United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act.

Representative Barbara Lee Reflects with Diane Randall, Ten Years Later

In September 2001, Congress passed a broad authorization for the use of military force that has led to a decade of global war, U.S. military occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq, sponsored assassinations, torture, indefinite detentions, millions dead and displaced, costs in the hundreds of billions of dollars and more. Rep. Barbara Lee (CA) has introduced legislation to repeal this broad and dangerous authorization. Rep. Lee cast the lone “no” vote in 2001, but this time, she is not alone. H.R. 2859: Repeal of the Authorization for Use of Military Force now has 18 cosponsors.

Ask your members of Congress to support the measure and help end the endless war. Take Action: urge your member to cosponsor H.R. 2859.

FCNL’s Diane Randall interviewed Rep. Lee about her lone “no” vote in 2001, as well as her thoughts on current legislation and the need to cut defense spending.

FCNL’s Matt Southworth is On the Road!

Matt has embarked on a tour of schools and universities across the U.S., speaking to young people near and far to spread the word about upcoming opportunities to visit Washington, DC: Annual Meeting (November 3rd - 6th) and Spring Lobby Weekend, which will be focused on lobbying to end the war in Afghanistan (March 17th-20th, 2012).

This week Matt spoke at Wilmington Friends School and Westtown School in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Next he will be in New York speaking in classes and evening events at Iona College, Purchase College, Manhattanville College, Sarah Lawrence and Union College, from September 28th to October 1st.

From October 2nd through the 6th Matt will be in Indiana and Ohio, speaking at Earlham and Wilmington Colleges in classes and evening events.

Between October 12th and 16th Matt will be in California speaking in San Francisco and at the Oakland Windows and Mirrors exhibit.

Lastly, Matt will travel to North Carolina from October 20th-23rd to give a workshop at the “Reclaiming the Prince of Peace” Conference at Guilford College, speaking with students on campus and talking about Afghanistan at Jamestown Friends Meeting.

Email Matt@fcnl.org for information about any of these events in your area!