Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace
6342 31 St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20015-2340
202-258-0569
May
11, 2005
President George W. Bush
Fax (202) 456-2461
Dear President Bush:
We appreciate your
expression of disapproval for the new settlements proposed for the E-1 area in
East Jerusalem. Along with the barrier such settlements would virtually cut off
Jerusalem to Christians and Muslims from the West Bank. Much of the land
confiscated by the Israeli government in that vicinity belongs to Christians.
Any attempt to encircle Jerusalem would vitiate a claim by Christians as well
as Muslims to this sacred city, as well as access to holy sites there.
To cut off Jerusalem from
the Palestinians would seriously jeopardize any negotiation for a peaceful
settlement of the conflict. The two state solution proposed in the road map
would likely be scuttled.
Your administrationŐs
continued efforts to halt the building of settlements will remove a major
obstacle to peace. We hope Mr. Sharon will heed your words. We trust you will
continue to work with him, showing a strong hand.
Sincerely,
John Salzberg, Chair
cc: Condoleezza Rice, Tim Goeglein, Stephen Hadley (NSC), Elliott Abrams (NSC), Chairman Henry Hyde, Hillel Weinberg, Senator Lincoln Chafee