CSD - Sample Urgent Action appeal

Israeli settlements in Beqa'a valley doubling in size

Thu, 26 Feb 2004

A major expansion of the Israeli settlements of Kiryat Arba and Harsina is now taking place in the Beqa'a valley east of Hebron. 

You will find an information page (maps and description) on the CPT Hebron web page as well as the story of one Palestinian family losing their land, and several CPTNET releases about recent encounters in the area.  We encourage you to print a couple copies of the information page: one to post on a church bulletin board and one for your refrigerator.  Also, print one of the articles that tells a story about this land confiscation and settlement expansion, so that you are prepared to tell others about what is happening.

THEN please write to your government representative to ask them to get information about this settlement expansion.

Any MP in Canada can be addressed at House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Any Senator in the US can be addressed at US Senate, Washington, DC 20510

Below is a sample letter as might be sent to a US Senator, a similar letter for a Canadian MP will need simple changes (delete sentence referring to "Roadmap," substitute "Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv" for "US Consulate in Jerusalem.") The letter could also be adapted to be applicable in other countries.

Dear ________,

I am deeply concerned by recent reports of land confiscation and expansion of Israeli settlements in the Beqa'a Valley east of Hebron in the West Bank.  I know that on numerous occasions in the last year our government has stated opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.  In all references to the "Roadmap," the obligation on Israel to freeze settlement expansion has received repeated affirmation by government officials.

Our consulate in Jerusalem has staff assigned to monitor and report on land confiscation and settlement expansion.  Have you seen their recent reports?

1.      Ask for current reports from the US Consulate in Jerusalem on the recent expansion of Kiryat Arba and Harsina settlements.  Reports I am receiving from Christian Peacemaker Teams say that new fences built in the last three months have more than doubled the area occupied by these settlements and have taken the farmland of a number of Palestinian farmers.

2.      Committee hearings on settlement expansion would send an important message that you are aware of and are concerned about these actions that lead to further conflict, despair and violence.  Please consider holding hearings on the current expansion of settlements, and the need for stronger action to stop this activity so destructive of prospects for peace.

I am interested to hear your response when you have received and read up-to-date reports of the Kiryat Arba and Harsina settlement expansion from our foreign service officials.

Thank you,

[your name and address]

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