J Street Welcomes Ambassador’s Call to Congress to Remove Holds on Palestinian Aid

December 23, 2011

WASHINGTON—J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami released the following statement in response to Ambassador of Israel to the United States Michael Oren’s recent statement supporting the removal of the Congressional hold on Palestinian aid.

“J Street welcomes Ambassador Michael Oren’s statement yesterday supporting the removal of the Congressional hold on $192 million in US aid to the Palestinian Authority appropriated in last year’s budget. We hope that the Member or Members of Congress behind the hold heed the Israeli Ambassador’s words.

Continuing to withhold these funds undercuts the PA’s efforts to build the institutions of statehood. Creating a functional, secure and thriving Palestinian society is essential to advancing the goal of a peaceful two-state resolution to the conflict. Israel’s ability to thrive as a secure, democratic and Jewish homeland is hurt when American politicians look to score political points by advocating policies many in Israel’s own security establishment consider counterproductive.

The Israeli Ambassador has this right. Now we have to get the word to a few Congressional opportunists.”