Dear Friends

 

The Middle East is not usually the source of good news, inspiration and hope.  But things are changing. The attention of the world is focused on Libya and our hearts are with the people of Libya as they were before with the people of Tunisia and Egypt.  In the past weeks we have seen non-violent revolutions sweeping across the Middle East, no country is immune to the wish of the masses for freedom and democracy. How unimaginable is it that millions of young people throughout the region are taking to the streets to stand against the despots and tyrants who have ruled them for decades.  The barrier of fear has been broken and people in the region have said it:  we want to be free people in our land.  The revolution will not stop at the gates of Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians are saying we will no longer accept to live under occupation.  And we in IPCRI say – enough!  Israelis don’t want to be occupiers either.

 

Shortly before the revolution of the Egyptian streets began, the attention was focused on the leaked Palestine Papers.  Those papers demonstrated the extent to which the Palestinian leadership was willing to go to reach peace with Israel.  Previous negotiations were very serious and gaps were narrowed between the sides. Today there are no negotiations taking place and the Obama Administration seems to have turned down its level of direct engagement.  At the same time the Palestinians are moving forward with the creation of their independent State next to Israel by successfully building the institutions of statehood, including security and police forces, establishing the rule of law through the legal system, improving public services and developing the economy.  In acknowledgement of Palestinian progress, the international community is embracing these developments and one country after the other is recognizing Palestine based on the June 4, 1967 borders with two capitals in Jerusalem.  Those countries which find it difficult to recognize Palestine now are in the process of upgrading the diplomatic status of the representative offices of Palestine in their capitals (including the United States).

 

In September 2011 the Palestinians will seek to transform their “virtual” state into a real state.  The international community will be asked support Palestinian statehood and Palestine membership in the United Nations.  IPCRI is supportive of these processes which aim to save the two-states solution. IPCRI is working behind the scenes to develop strategies that will enable a peaceful and agreed transition from occupation to statehood. IPCRI’s policy work in this area is crucial and urgent.  We need your help to support it.

 

Likewise, IPCRI’s public affairs events called “Wednesday afternoons with IPCRI” came to an end last month as the funding for the series has ended and we have not yet found another donor to support it.  This series brings issues to the public in a non-polemic way, engaging Israelis, Palestinians and members of the diplomatic community into an exploration of solutions for issues in conflict and under debate. 

 

There are many other activities that we are implementing.  We are working with a skeletal staff and with very limited funding.  The support we receive from individuals like yourself enable us to continue our activities and to expand them.  We need your support today.  IPCRI is not on the verge of collapse and we are not considering closing down, but this is an urgent appeal for your support. 

 

Here is what we would like to request from everyone who receives this letter:

 

CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST THE COST OF A MEAL AND A MOVIE FOR TWO!

EVERYONE CAN AFFORD IT AND EVERY CONTRIBUTION IS IMPORTANT

 

IF YOU CAN AFFORD MORE, PLEASE CONTRIBUTE WHAT YOU CAN!