A Quaker Lobby in the Public Interest
New legislation would permit Israelis to enter the U.S. without a visa while continuing to allow Israel to deny entry to some U.S. citizens. The Senate version of this bill would create a unique exception for Israel to bypass protections against discrimination in U.S. immigration law. Urge your senators to oppose S. 462.
Palestinian Bid for U.N. Statehood
Due to anti-U.N. laws on the books, the U.S. is cutting funds for the U.N.'s cultural agency UNESCO after its vote for Palestinian inclusion. Check out FCNL's talking points on threats to U.N. funding.
Stories & Successes
Leaders representing U.S. churches and faith organizations have called on Congress to condition U.S. military aid to Israel upon Israel’s “compliance with applicable U.S. laws and policies.” These leaders agree that “unconditional U.S. military assistance to Israel has contributed to...sustaining the conflict and undermining the long-term security interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.” FCNL's Diane Randall and AFSC's Shan Cretin both signed on to this landmark statement.
Kate Gould in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “FCNL and CMEP advocate for the U.S. to empower peace builders and undercut the false appeal of violent extremism. The nonviolence movement in Israel and the Palestinian territories warrants recognition from the U.S. public and U.S. government.” See full piece.
Kate Gould in Foreign Policy in Focus: “the United States continues to be one of Bahrain’s chief weapons suppliers, furnishing $53 million in weapons and other equipment even as the regime tortures and murders pro-democracy activists. The two countries have united, among other issues, over their aggressive postures toward Iran, and according to an April 2008 U.S. diplomatic cable revealed by Wikileaks, Bahrain and the United States have "about as good a bilateral relationship as anywhere."
FCNL's Policy Statement
"We support active non-violent responses to prevent or transform violent conflict at all levels.
The cycles of violence perpetuated by acts of terror and the armed overthrow of governments serve as warning against the use of force, while the examples of nonviolent movements for change provide concrete alternatives.”
Read FCNL's Policy Statement for more.
