3 February 2012
Dear Senator Chuck Grassley,
Thank you very much for your reply. So far 23 senators had written to me with sincerity and some with the second reply. To read my responses, please see: http://dearmmlee.wordpress.com/category/petition-palestine/
You said, “I strongly believe that the United States can and must play an active role facilitating negotiations. On September 20, 2011, I sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to stand with Israel by discouraging Palestinian actions and oppose any unilateral move to declare a Palestinian state outside of a negotiated peace agreement. I am concerned by any unilateral move made outside of negotiations. These important matters must be resolved by the two parties at the negotiating table. I’m pleased that President Obama shares this view. He stated, “Peace cannot be imposed on the parties. It’s going to have to be negotiated. One side’s actions in the United Nations will achieve neither statehood nor self-determination for the Palestinians.”
Since the two parties cannot sit down and negotiate because if they could they would have done it 20 years ago. I believe I got a great formula how we can break the status quo? I strongly believe America has no choice but to put forward a vital proposal to make this breakthrough.
On 30 December Mr Alon Ben-Meir professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU said that if Netanyahu has one ounce of integrity left in him he should resign because the writer blamed the Netanyahu government committed from day one to defying the Palestinian reality and the international community and has, above all, engaged in excessive self-denial to the detriment of Israel’s future. The settler‘s movement had became a threat to Israel’s existence. Instead of creating a great nation of Israel with love and compassion Netanyahu is creating the greatest enemies’ within ‘THE SETTLERS’. This is not only my main concern but the concern of the world. http://dearmmlee.wordpress.com/category/petition-palestine/israel-greatest-creation/
The status quo just cannot be remaining and the world is waiting for the ‘time bomb’ to explode but we do not know when and how? Can we the caring citizens of the world change this tide? I believe we can when we join forces to convince the Netanyahu government to have great compassion for the sake of their children’s children. No one should die for peace and Yitkshak Rabin death must means more to the world.
May I have your support to rally all the senators to come on board to make it happen? If this can happen, the world will thank all of you for striving for and achieving greater humanity.
Love, light, peace, harmony and unity,
Sunflower Chong
From: “Chuck.Grassley@grassley.senate.gov”
To: sunflower_chong@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 11:05 PM
Subject: Senator Chuck Grassley’s response to your email
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. As your Senator, it is important for me to hear from you.
I appreciate hearing your comments concerning efforts toward peace in the Middle East, in particular regarding the recent proposal for recognition of a Palestinian state. It is important to bring peace and security in the Middle East for both Israelis and Palestinians. The violence must come to an end. Far too many innocent civilians have lost their lives as a result of this conflict.
Both former President Bush and President Obama have emphasized the establishment of a Palestinian state, formed next to a secure Israel as an important U.S. policy. However, with the reconciliation agreement signed between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, a negotiated peace will be increasingly difficult. It’s unclear how Israel could be expected to negotiate peace with a coalition that includes members that are committed to the destruction of Israel and refuse to recognize the State of Israel’s right to exist. The unwillingness of Hamas to commit to renouncing violence and recognizing Israel’s right to exist only hinder efforts toward a negotiated end to the conflict and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
The United States and most of the world has called for an end to the violence and remains concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region. It’s clear that we must continue to work toward peace with responsible leaders who seek a negotiated solution.
On September 23, 2011 Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas submitted an application for Palestinian state membership to the United Nations Secretary General in order to bring about a Security Council Vote for full membership within the United Nations (U.N.). The Obama Administration has indicated it will veto any such vote with the U.S.’s authority as a Permanent Member of the Security Council. An additional route that may be taken, is that a different member-state sympathetic to Palestine could bring the issue before the U.N. General Assembly. Passage of this measure would only require a simple majority of member states to change Palestine’s status from “entity” to that of “non-member state” in the U.N. It is likely a vote regarding this matter will be brought before the UN before the end of this calendar year.
I strongly believe that the United States can and must play an active role facilitating negotiations. On September 20, 2011, I sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to stand with Israel by discouraging Palestinian actions and oppose any unilateral move to declare a Palestinian state outside of a negotiated peace agreement. I am concerned by any unilateral move made outside of negotiations. These important matters must be resolved by the two parties at the negotiating table. I’m pleased that President Obama shares this view. He stated, “Peace cannot be imposed on the parties. It’s going to have to be negotiated. One side’s actions in the United Nations will achieve neither statehood nor self-determination for the Palestinians.”
Most recently, the Quartet, comprised of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia, issued a statement with a concrete and detailed proposal to begin direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians without delay or preconditions. The Quartet statement is further evidence that a just and lasting peace can only come through negotiations between the parties. I remain hopeful that these negotiations will result in progress in finding a resolution to this conflict.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please keep in touch!
Sincerely,
Chuck
3 December 2011
Dear Senator
I hope to get your support for this Petition for a Palestinian State.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/call-for-support-for-a-palestinian-state.html#sign
The success of the “Arab Spring” tells us that a “Global Spring” is possible to achieve, too. And it can begin with nothing more than a click of your mouse supporting our petition. The Palestinian people need our support now more than ever, for a “Global Spring” to finally achieve a homeland for their people. To build a better world, everyone must care. We must have the strong faith that we can build a better world for all.
On behalf of the Palestinian people, I thank you all very much for your support. Please spread the word.
Love, light, peace, harmony and unity,
Sunflower Chong
Founder of http://www.worldharmonyday.com
