Friends,
We in Washington State have opportunity this Sunday, April 15th, 1-2 PM, to bring positions on Israel/Palestine forward at the 2012 Washington State Democratic precinct caucuses – meetings of those who live in the same voting area or precinct. At these local gatherings, held statewide, participants at the grassroots level participate in nominating the party’s presidential candidate and collect and forward resolutions to be used in drafting the party platform.
Tomorrow, we in Washington State can go to our local caucus and present resolutions on Israel/Palestine for discussion and to be moved forward to future party meetings. This is an opportunity to bring the issue of Israel/Palestine to our neighbors – and to more than the “choir.” Caucuses provide the additional possibility of being elected as delegates to the Legislative District Caucuses (April 28th) and County Conventions (April 29th) where resolutions forwarded from the Precinct Caucuses will first be acted upon.
Anyone can attend their local precinct caucuses and participate in platform and resolution discussions. To vote for candidates and delegates, one must be a registered voter in the precinct and sign a form declaring to be a Democrat. You may register to vote at the caucus and vote in meetings on the same day. Persons eighteen years-of-age on or before November 6, 2012, are eligible to vote in the caucuses. Visit this website for an FAQ about the Washington State precinct caucuses and for the resolution template. Find your local precinct caucus location.
For resolution models, see those on Israel/Palestine that passed through Iowa caucuses earlier this year that can be modified for the Washington State Democrats resolution template.
We would love to know something of your caucus experience. Take a resolution that supports justice in Israel/Palestine to your precinct caucus! Then, report your experience back to Austin at [email protected]. Include any resolutions on Israel/Palestine submitted, the language of the resolution, and your experience bringing it forward.
Many thanks!
Cindy Corrie
P.S. Let your Washington State friends know about this opportunity.
Resolutions passed through Iowa Democratic caucuses on the issue of Israel/Palestine
Resolution 1
US Aid to Israel be Suspended Pending Compliance with US and International Law.
Whereas US supports Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian land with $3 billion annually
Whereas this biased support sustains the illegal Israeli occupation and engenders hostility toward the US in the Arab world
Whereas the $3 billion could better be used to support US domestic needs
Whereas this aid violates the US Arms Export Control Act –which prohibits the use of US weapons against civilians
Whereas this aid violates the US Foreign Assistance Act – which prohibits assistance to any country which “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
Whereas the US governments, and international human rights groups have documented repeated human rights abuses and use of US weapons on civilians
Be it resolved that US suspend military aid to Israel until Israel comes into compliance with international laws and US trade and assistance laws.
Resolution 2
Whereas the US is in fiscal crisis; and
Whereas the US sends $3 billion a year to support Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine;
We support the reduction of financial support that the US sends to Israel.
We support the establishment and recognition of a contiguous,viable Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.
We support the health and welfare of the people of Gaza and demand that Israel end its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.
We support the destruction of the Separation Barrier that separates Palestinians from their families, their jobs, their schools and their livelihoods.
Resolution 3
In the Israel/Palestine conflict, we support …
- The U.S. engaged as an impartial broker, promoting negotiations in order to achieve peace and security for Israel as well as a secure, viable and contiguous Palestinian state.
- Re-evaluation of U.S. military aid to Israel and transition to humanitarian aid to Israelis and Palestinians.
- Full United Nations recognition of Palestine.
We oppose…
- All acts of violence by any party under any pretext, whether claimed to be aggressive or defensive.
- The existence and continued construction of the Israeli “separation wall.”
- Continued construction of Israeli settlements on disputed lands within the West Bank.
- Continued collective punishment of the non-combatant civilians of Gaza.
Resolution 4
Israel/Palestine Conflict
We support:
- The establishment and recognition of a contiguous, viable Palestinian State along the 1967 borders.
- Israel’s right to live within secure borders, with democracy to all of its citizens regardless of religion.
- The health and welfare of the people of Gaza, and demand that Israel end its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
- Delegating the UN as the sole authority to facilitate a final resolution.
We oppose:
- Israel’s settlement activity on territory captured in the six-day war of 1967.
- Moving the US embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem prior to final resolution.
- The Separation Barrier for precluding Palestinians from their families, schools, and jobs.
- Use of human shields, suicide bombing, collective punishment and violations of international laws.
