Dear ALLMEP Supporters and Friends,
As 2007 comes to a close, we are thrilled to report that this week, Congress approved $9 million in new funding dedicated to supporting people-to-people coexistence and reconciliation activities between Israelis and Palestinian, Arabs, Jews, and Muslims in the Middle East. ALLMEP first proposed such funding last year. Here's a news release of this great news, with thanks to you all and the many members of Congress who made sure this funding became a reality (see below). Below that, please find a reminder of the great ways you can support ALLMEP now and in the new year.
Thank you for your continued support of ALLMEP and Middle East coexistence efforts.
Best wishes for happy holidays and a happy, healthy, PEACEFUL new year!
- The Members and Volunteers of the Alliance for Middle East Peace
Congress Adopts ALLMEP Proposal, Dedicates $9 Million for People-to-People Projects in the Middle East
Dec. 21 (Washington, DC) -- With a final vote of approval in the House of Representatives this week, Congress passed a massive omnibus spending bill for the federal government that included $9 million in funding for people-to-people coexistence and reconciliation activities aimed at building grassroots support for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. The funding stems from a proposal by the Alliance for Middle East Peace ("ALLMEP"), a coalition of non-governmental organizations that bring together individuals and communities across conflict lines to cooperate on joint projects involving education, medicine, the environment, business, sports, culture, religion, and other areas of everyday life.
Congress allocated the funds as part of the U.S. "Economic Support Fund" that provides most U.S. foreign aid. Earlier in the year, the House included $11 million for these activities after a bi-partisan, Arab-Jewish-Christian coalition of 35 members of the House, led by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), circulated a letter to appropriators seeking the funding. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Sub-committee on Foreign Operations, played a key role in supporting the funding as appropriators drafted the legislation.
In a parallel effort, a full 25% of the U.S. Senate signed a bi-partisan letter to appropriators in support of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence funding, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), and Sen. John Sununu (R-NH).
Other appropriators believed to have played a key role in supporting this funding include: House Foreign Operations Sub-Committee Ranking Member Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Senate Foreign Operations Sub-Committee Chair Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), and Sub-Committee members Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS).
"All of these people-to-people projects are working to change attitudes and build positive relations between ordinary citizens on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict," said ALLMEP Executive Director, Susan Mirbach. "At a time when the world is focused on trying to solve the conflict, this much-needed funding by Congress is a critical step toward building strong and active grassroots support for peace. Without significantly expanding these efforts, there simply won't be the vocal public support needed for a peace deal to arrive or survive."
Copies of the House and Senate letters showing all members who signed on in support are available at ALLMEP's web site: House letter Senate letter.
Until this vote, U.S. funding for reconciliation projects in the Middle East had declined to zero in the last two years even as U.S. funds for reconciliation efforts worldwide had almost doubled as a result of ALLMEP's advocacy. Since the need for people-to-people activities to counter the Arab-Israeli conflict is so great and since so many grassroots initiatives are already underway but in need of significant support, ALLMEP first proposed a dedicated fund for Middle East people-to-people efforts in 2006 but Congress failed to complete its appropriations bills that year.
In addition to proposing dedicated funding for this work, since 2003, ALLMEP has raised considerable awareness about the scope and value of people-to-people projects involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict, enabling both public and private sector funders to understand the need for increasing funds for this sector.
# # # #
Support Peace in the New Year With Year-End Giving and New Year's Resolutions
Looking for meaningful causes to support with your 2007 charitable contributions? Thinking about new year's resolutions and ways to make a difference in the year ahead? Tired of sitting on the sidelines and hoping for peace? Look no further! ALLMEP provides you with a concrete way to help those who are building peace every day!
Please consider these ways to support our work:
1. Make your tax-deductible donation today!
In order to expand its impact and bring greater support to Middle East people-to-people projects in the year ahead, ALLMEP is transitioning from an all-volunteer operation to a professional one. In 2008, ALLMEP (now a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) hopes to hire its first paid staff. Given all that ALLMEP has accomplished with the hard work of dedicated volunteers, imagine the potential of having professionals carry on this work full-time!
Consider that since ALLMEP's members first joined together informally in 2003, ALLMEP has been entirely volunteer-powered. Without a single paid professional, we've arranged for hundreds of meetings between leading coexistence groups and policymakers. We've created a safe space where Americans from every religious and political background who yearn for peace can work together in support of brave peacemakers on the ground. Imagine pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian Americans - Muslims, Christians, and Jews - sitting at the same table, sharing Middle Eastern food and at a Capitol Hill event while listening to a panel discussion of Middle East ambassadors discussing the power of grassroots peace efforts! With "just" volunteers, ALLMEP made this and so much more happen.
When policymakers and private sector leaders see all of this, they understand the need to provide critical resources and support to civil society projects. 46 organizations have now joined together under the ALLMEP umbrella to raise the profile of their work in the U.S., cooperate on joint programs in the region, and increase the resources available to support people-to-people activities. Please consider supporting our efforts to "go pro" and support these important grassroots activities by making a secure online donation today!
2. Become a part of the solution in 2008…
What better new year's resolution than deciding to do something for Middle East peace in 2008? There are many ways you can give of your time, expertise, contacts, and energy to support grassroots peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews. You can start by making sure you, your friends, and your family sign up for our email updates. Next, learn more about our member organizations and their work. Consider joining us for our March 2008 outreach event in Washington, D.C. (tentatively scheduled for March 12, 2008 - further details TBA). Sign up as a volunteer to help spread the good word about people-to-people efforts to your elected officials, religious community, and neighbors. Contact us if you would like to be in touch with any of ALLMEP's member organizations to volunteer or contribute to their important work.
Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays!
If you do not wish to receive any further emails from ALLMEP, please reply to this message with the subject "unsubscribe."
See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.
Good news!
m
From: invite@allmep.orgTo: invite@allmep.orgSent: 12/21/2007 2:15:52 P.M. Eastern Standard TimeSubj: Congress Passes ALLMEP Proposal - $9 Million To Focus on Arab-Israeli People-to-People Efforts!
As 2007 comes to a close, we are thrilled to report that this week, Congress approved $9 million in new funding dedicated to supporting people-to-people coexistence and reconciliation activities between Israelis and Palestinian, Arabs, Jews, and Muslims in the Middle East. ALLMEP first proposed such funding last year. Here's a news release of this great news, with thanks to you all and the many members of Congress who made sure this funding became a reality (see below). Below that, please find a reminder of the great ways you can support ALLMEP now and in the new year.
Thank you for your continued support of ALLMEP and Middle East coexistence efforts.
Best wishes for happy holidays and a happy, healthy, PEACEFUL new year!
- The Members and Volunteers of the Alliance for Middle East Peace
Congress Adopts ALLMEP Proposal, Dedicates $9 Million for People-to-People Projects in the Middle East
Dec. 21 (Washington, DC) -- With a final vote of approval in the House of Representatives this week, Congress passed a massive omnibus spending bill for the federal government that included $9 million in funding for people-to-people coexistence and reconciliation activities aimed at building grassroots support for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. The funding stems from a proposal by the Alliance for Middle East Peace ("ALLMEP"), a coalition of non-governmental organizations that bring together individuals and communities across conflict lines to cooperate on joint projects involving education, medicine, the environment, business, sports, culture, religion, and other areas of everyday life.
Congress allocated the funds as part of the U.S. "Economic Support Fund" that provides most U.S. foreign aid. Earlier in the year, the House included $11 million for these activities after a bi-partisan, Arab-Jewish-Christian coalition of 35 members of the House, led by Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), circulated a letter to appropriators seeking the funding. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Sub-committee on Foreign Operations, played a key role in supporting the funding as appropriators drafted the legislation.
In a parallel effort, a full 25% of the U.S. Senate signed a bi-partisan letter to appropriators in support of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence funding, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), and Sen. John Sununu (R-NH).
Other appropriators believed to have played a key role in supporting this funding include: House Foreign Operations Sub-Committee Ranking Member Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Senate Foreign Operations Sub-Committee Chair Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), and Sub-Committee members Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS).
"All of these people-to-people projects are working to change attitudes and build positive relations between ordinary citizens on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict," said ALLMEP Executive Director, Susan Mirbach. "At a time when the world is focused on trying to solve the conflict, this much-needed funding by Congress is a critical step toward building strong and active grassroots support for peace. Without significantly expanding these efforts, there simply won't be the vocal public support needed for a peace deal to arrive or survive."
Copies of the House and Senate letters showing all members who signed on in support are available at ALLMEP's web site: House letter Senate letter.
Until this vote, U.S. funding for reconciliation projects in the Middle East had declined to zero in the last two years even as U.S. funds for reconciliation efforts worldwide had almost doubled as a result of ALLMEP's advocacy. Since the need for people-to-people activities to counter the Arab-Israeli conflict is so great and since so many grassroots initiatives are already underway but in need of significant support, ALLMEP first proposed a dedicated fund for Middle East people-to-people efforts in 2006 but Congress failed to complete its appropriations bills that year.
In addition to proposing dedicated funding for this work, since 2003, ALLMEP has raised considerable awareness about the scope and value of people-to-people projects involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict, enabling both public and private sector funders to understand the need for increasing funds for this sector.
# # # #
Support Peace in the New Year With Year-End Giving and New Year's Resolutions
Looking for meaningful causes to support with your 2007 charitable contributions? Thinking about new year's resolutions and ways to make a difference in the year ahead? Tired of sitting on the sidelines and hoping for peace? Look no further! ALLMEP provides you with a concrete way to help those who are building peace every day!
Please consider these ways to support our work:
1. Make your tax-deductible donation today!
In order to expand its impact and bring greater support to Middle East people-to-people projects in the year ahead, ALLMEP is transitioning from an all-volunteer operation to a professional one. In 2008, ALLMEP (now a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) hopes to hire its first paid staff. Given all that ALLMEP has accomplished with the hard work of dedicated volunteers, imagine the potential of having professionals carry on this work full-time!
Consider that since ALLMEP's members first joined together informally in 2003, ALLMEP has been entirely volunteer-powered. Without a single paid professional, we've arranged for hundreds of meetings between leading coexistence groups and policymakers. We've created a safe space where Americans from every religious and political background who yearn for peace can work together in support of brave peacemakers on the ground. Imagine pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian Americans - Muslims, Christians, and Jews - sitting at the same table, sharing Middle Eastern food and at a Capitol Hill event while listening to a panel discussion of Middle East ambassadors discussing the power of grassroots peace efforts! With "just" volunteers, ALLMEP made this and so much more happen.
When policymakers and private sector leaders see all of this, they understand the need to provide critical resources and support to civil society projects. 46 organizations have now joined together under the ALLMEP umbrella to raise the profile of their work in the U.S., cooperate on joint programs in the region, and increase the resources available to support people-to-people activities. Please consider supporting our efforts to "go pro" and support these important grassroots activities by making a secure online donation today!
2. Become a part of the solution in 2008…
What better new year's resolution than deciding to do something for Middle East peace in 2008? There are many ways you can give of your time, expertise, contacts, and energy to support grassroots peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews. You can start by making sure you, your friends, and your family sign up for our email updates. Next, learn more about our member organizations and their work. Consider joining us for our March 2008 outreach event in Washington, D.C. (tentatively scheduled for March 12, 2008 - further details TBA). Sign up as a volunteer to help spread the good word about people-to-people efforts to your elected officials, religious community, and neighbors. Contact us if you would like to be in touch with any of ALLMEP's member organizations to volunteer or contribute to their important work.
Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays!
If you do not wish to receive any further emails from ALLMEP, please reply to this message with the subject "unsubscribe."
See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.
Good news!
m
From: invite@allmep.orgTo: invite@allmep.orgSent: 12/21/2007 2:15:52 P.M. Eastern Standard TimeSubj: Congress Passes ALLMEP Proposal - $9 Million To Focus on Arab-Israeli People-to-People Efforts!
<< Home