Over the next few weeks, President Barack Obama will set his course for achieving peace and security for Israel and the Middle East.

First, the President hosts Israeli, Palestinian, and Egyptian leaders at the White House.  Then he heads to Egypt for a major address to the Muslim world.

Some - like Newt Gingrich last week at the AIPAC conference - are urging him to go slow and take a hands-off approach to negotiations.  Satisfied with the status quo, these voices will settle for more talk and little action.

Others - like Vice President Joe Biden - think it's time for action and for strong American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab conflicts. 

Members of Congress are being asked to weigh in as well.  We support a Congressional letter to the President that calls for bold American leadership and for real action now.

Click here to ask your Representative to sign the Cohen-Boustany-Carnahan letter supporting Obama's strong leadership to bring peace and security to the Middle East.

The first year of this Administration is critical to chances for ending the conflicts in the Middle East. Will the President engage? Will he weigh in strongly - with all sides - on the steps they need to take: ending settlements, stopping violence, easing the blockade of Gaza? 

These critical questions will be decided at the White House in the coming days and weeks.

One factor in the decision is what Congress will do if the President chooses a path of leadership and real action. 

That's why it's so important that Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Charles Boustany (R-LA), and Russ Carnahan (D-MO) have authored a bipartisan letter backing the President's strong leadership in the Middle East - and so important that a large number of their colleagues join them.

They know that we best serve both Israeli and American interests in the region by actively working to advance the two-state solution. 

Click here to email your Representative now.

The voices of the status quo will continue to try to undermine the President's agenda.

Just last week, Newt Gingrich argued that Obama was "endangering Israel" by trying to work towards a two-state solution to the conflict. [1]

Others suggest that Israeli-Palestinian peace be placed on the back burner until we reach a full resolution to our dispute with Iran. [2] In fact, progress on broader regional peace is critical to the success of any policy toward Iran.

Over 20,000 J Street members like you fought back against Gingrich's attacks, signing our petition in support of the President's Mideast agenda.

Now it's the House of Representatives' turn. 

Click here to send a message to your Representative and tell him/her to sign on in support of the President's strong leadership in the Middle East.

Thanks so much,

Isaac

Isaac Luria
Campaigns Director
J Street
May 13, 2009

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Fill out the form to tell your Representative to sign the Cohen-Boustany-Carnahan letter supporting President Obama's strong leadership in achieving peace and security in the Middle East.

Click here to sign the message.


May 13, 2009

Subject:
Sign the Cohen-Boustany-Carnahan letter in support of President Obama's Mideast agenda

Please sign the Cohen-Boustany-Carnahan letter to President Obama, backing strong American leadership to achieve a two-state solution and comprehensive peace and security for the Middle East.

Time is of the essence and strong American leadership is vital.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)

Click here to sign the message.