Sneak Peak: FCNL's Work on Israel/Palestine in 2012

Jan 4, 2012

When Congress is an Obstacle to Middle East Peace: Pressing for a Just and Lasting Resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

With Israeli settlements expanding at an alarming rate and with Quartet negotiations continuing to exclude Hamas, the scheduled Israeli-Palestinian talks are largely expected to end in failure by the end of January 2012. The Palestinians will likely resume their efforts to seek statehood recognition at the United Nations, and continue to pursue membership in various U.N. bodies throughout the year.

Pressing for Peace, not Punishment: Encouraging Nonviolent Conflict Transformation

Rather than welcoming the Palestinian U.N. approach for its commitment to nonviolence and a resolution of the conflict as FCNL has advocated, Congress has threatened further cuts to U.N. funding and U.S. assistance for Palestinians. Current U.S. funding for Palestinian humanitarian and development aid is slated to be entirely eliminated if the Palestinian achieve membership in any U.N. body, in addition to its current membership in UNESCO. Another punitive condition already imposed by Congress would require the shut-down of the Palestinian Liberation Organization office in Washington D.C. if the Palestinians achieve membership at any additional U.N. bodies.

FCNL will continue to work in partnership with Churches for Middle East Peace to urge Congress to reject these punitive efforts, and advocate in favor of inclusive diplomatic efforts, strengthened U.S. development and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, and the encouragement of--rather than the punishment of--nonviolent approaches to conflict transformation and self-determination. FCNL will also work to repeal anti-U.N. laws currently on the books that would require the U.S. to stop funding any U.N. agency that votes for Palestinian inclusion.