Rebuild Gaza and Establish True Peace in the Region

Target: George J. Mitchell, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace

The cease-fire in Gaza is (mostly) holding, and a tenuous calm has settled over the area. With thousands of homes destroyed in Israel's war with Hamas, people there have a new concern: rebuilding.

It's a daunting task with approximately 4,000 homes destroyed and 17,000 damaged during the bombardment. And the process is complicated by the fact that even cement is political in Gaza. Israel fears that construction supplies will be appropriated by Hamas and strengthen the group's hold over Gazan society. But if the border remains closed, Hamas has no incentive to continue the ceasefire.

The current situation is a symptom of a larger vicious cycle. Israel won't let goods freely enter Gaza because of Hamas' rocket attacks, but Hamas won't stop the attacks while Israel continues its stranglehold over Gaza's border.

The United States needs to fundamentally change its approach to encouraging peace in the Middle East in order to recognize the reality of this cycle. Urge the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace to go outside of the views expressed by their political leaders; to ask how we can get everyone access to school, health care, jobs, security and opportunities to provide for their families. By providing these basic human rights, we can help rebuild Gaza and establish true peace in the region.

LINK: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/454489071