On March 8th Vice President Joe Biden -- on a diplomatic trip to Israel -- was greeted by the news that the Israeli government planned to build 1600 new homes in East Jerusalem.
Under Israel's discriminatory home demolition and eviction policy, scores of Palestinians are being evicted from their homes.This is a clear violation of basic human rights and international law.
Please let your members of Congress know that you support the Obama Administration's efforts to turn this moment from a crisis into a victory for human rights. Help end discriminatory housing policy in East Jerusalem and strengthen the prospects for peace.
Dear [Representative]:
In Deuteronomy, it says "they should govern the people with due justice." I am writing on behalf of Rabbis for Human Rights-North America in support of the Obama Administration's understandable and appropriate reaction to the Israeli announcement during the Vice President's trip to Israel in early March.
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There can be no peace without respect for human rights. As long as Israel maintains a discriminatory housing policy in East Jerusalem that allows Jews to build homes while evicting Palestinians and demolishing their homes, there is little likelihood for progress.
We hope that Congress will encourage the Obama Administration to turn this crisis into an opportunity to achieve real progress on human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
Respect for human rights in Israel is a fundamental American interest and the only way to secure Israel's future as a Jewish, democratic home.
