Joint Declaration of Philadelphia Area Arabs and Jew

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The following online petition was preceded with the following statement:

Please add your name to this historic and unprecedented joint declaration for Israeli/Palestinian peace drafted by a group of Philadelphia area Arab Americans and American Jews brought together by the Arab American Community Development Corporation and the Progressive Zionist Alliance.

We plan on releasing the declaration and list of signers to the media in a news conference on Tuesday morning April 16. If you would like to attend the conference or receive more information, please send an e-mail to pza@netreach.net

Feel free to distribute this invitation to sign this declaration to like-minded Philadelphia Area Arabs and Jews.

Shalom/Salaam,

Steve Masters
Mazkir, Progressive Zionist Alliance

The Petition:
To: Israelis, Palestinians and President George W. Bush

As American Jews and Arab Americans of Philadelphia, we believe that the present lives and future of the Israeli and Palestinian people are forever intertwined.

We hereby express our deep sorrow regarding the unbearable loss of life and human suffering in Palestine and in Israel. We condemn any kind of violence regardless of its source. We call upon all parties and factions, Israelis and Palestinians, to put down their weapons and to resume negotiations for a just and lasting peace agreement.

We believe that such a peace agreement must be based upon:

  • a two-state solution, whereby both Israelis and Palestinians are guaranteed the dignity and security to live in their own independent and viable states, side by side

  • a shared capital in Jerusalem/Al Quds

  • a just and equitable resolution to the Palestinian Refugee issue

    We call upon the Israelis to:

  • Immediately withdraw their military forces from all Palestinian areas

  • Commit to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel with Al Quds as its capital

  • Evacuate all settlements located in the territory of the future Palestinian State

    We call upon the Palestinians to:

  • Condemn and end suicide bombings

  • Commit to a secure Israel

    As Americans we call on our President, George W. Bush, to continue to vigorously pursue his role as an evenhanded broker and to utilize all diplomatic means to bring the two parties to the negotiating table immediately.

    Sincerely,

    The Undersigned

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