President Bush will visit the Occupied Palestinian West Bank and Israel on the first leg of a tour of the Middle East from Jan. 8-16. 

According to a White House press release, Bush will meet separately with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

The meetings aim to “follow up on the progress made at Annapolis in helping Israelis and Palestinians to advance their efforts toward peace and achievement of the President’s vision of two democratic states living side-by-side in peace and security, as well as encourage Israeli/Arab reconciliation.”

TAKE ACTION: Contact the White House and demand that President Bush raise concerns with Israeli leaders about steps that Israel has taken since Annapolis that are inimical to peace.  To take action, click here.

Talking Points:
* Since the Annapolis conference took place on Nov. 28, re-launching Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Israeli army has killed 51 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, wounded 84, and arrested 175 civilians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.  (Statistics compiled from Weekly Reports of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Nov. 29-Dec. 26.)  These Israeli attacks have continued despite an offer—rejected by Israel—from Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on December 18 to negotiate a ceasefire with Israel.  Israel must end its policy of extra-judicial assassinations and military attacks against the Occupied Palestinian Territories.   
   
* On December 23, Israel’s Construction Ministry confirmed that its 2008 budget includes plans to build 500 housing units in Jabal Abu Ghneim (Har Homa) and 240 housing units in Ma’aleh Adumim, illegal Israeli colonies in the Occupied Palestinian West Bank. In the Joint Understanding read at the Annapolis conference, Israeli and Palestinian leaders “commit[ed] to immediately implement their respective obligations under the performance-based road map”, which includes a complete freeze on Israel’s colonization activities.  Israel must end construction in its illegal colonies in the Occupied West Bank and begin dismantling them.

* Israel has maintained its siege on the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the Annapolis conference, resulting in a humanitarian crisis, especially in the Gaza Strip.  In a November 2007 report, “Dignity Denied in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”, the International Red Cross noted:  “The dignity of the Palestinians is being trampled underfoot day after day, both in the West Bank and in Gaza. Israel’s harsh security measures come at an enormous humanitarian cost, leaving those living under occupation with just enough to survive, but not enough to live normal and dignified lives…Only prompt, innovative and courageous political action can change the harsh reality of this long-standing occupation, restore normal social and economic life to the Palestinian people, and allow them to live their lives in dignity.”  Israel must lift its siege on the Gaza Strip and the collective punishment of its inhabitants and open Gaza’s border to both the free flow of humanitarian aid and trade.

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US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation