The “US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation” (Campaign) is a diverse coalition working to challenge US policy in regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Campaign is based on human rights and international law, providing a non-sectarian framework for everyone who supports its Call to Action. Its strategy is to inform, educate and mobilize the public so as to change the US role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to support peace, justice, human rights and international law.
The Campaign includes civil and human rights activists, faith-based organizations, peace activists, Arab-American organizations, Jewish groups opposing the occupation, students and others who promote peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. Last week, the Campaign had a serious setback as the US Senate version of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 (S. 2370) passed the US House of Representatives, clearing the way for the bill to reach the White House. The bill includes numerous economic and diplomatic sanctions against the Palestinians. With a fragile ceasefire now in place in the Gaza Strip and a serious humanitarian crisis growing in the Gaza Strip, even Jewish, Zionist organizations such as Americans for Peace Now (APN) view the bill as “unhelpful.”
The Campaign is attempting to set up a meeting with White House officials to deliver a petition signed by more than 340 US-based organizations opposing the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act and asking for a presidential veto. In truth, President George W. Bush needs to do nothing to allow the bill to wither away. Congress will be adjourning within the 10-day period the president has to sign the bill. If he doesn’t sign, the bill automatically fails to become a law. This means that Bush must actually sign the bill in order for the Palestinians to be hit by new US sanctions. Will he or won’t he? Keep an eye on www.endtheoccupation.org to stay informed.