October 25

Dear Church Leaders:

The American Muslims for Palestine, a national, grassroots organization dedicated to educating Americans about Palestine, would like to offer our wholehearted gratitude for your letter asking Congress to hold Israel accountable for its many human rights abuses of Palestinians and repeated violations of international law. As the largest Palestinian-led organization in the United States, we also would like to offer our support.

As an organization on the forefront of social justice work for Palestine in the US, AMP hopes to grow grassroots support that eventually will pressure Congress to craft a more balanced Middle East foreign policy, which will guarantee equal rights for everyone living in the Holy Land. Your letter is an important step in helping Americans embrace this struggle as one of their own. US unconditional support for Israel is harming the perception of America throughout the world; it also threatens our national security.

We gratefully acknowledge that your letter reflects the positions of your respective churches and organizations regarding human rights violations by Israelis against Palestinians, the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied territory, and the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. We agree wholeheartedly with your statement that unconditional US military aid contributes to "the deteriorating conditions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories which threaten to lead the region further away from the realization of a just peace."

As is to be expected, you are now enduring verbal assaults from those who support the status quo in the Holy Land. Remain firm, and know that Palestinians in the United States, as well as abroad, are heartened by your actions and stand by you during this time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hatem Bazian
Chairman, American Muslims for Palestine