Calling for Israel to reverse its decision adding Hebron and Bethlehem sites to Israels National Heritage List

We, your constituents, wish to bring to your attention our deep concerns about recent events in Israel and Palestine which threaten the chances of peace and create further animosity among Jews and Muslims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that two sites located on the West Bank, which is slated to become part of a Palestinian state, are to be included on Israels National Heritage List.

The Israeli decision has resulted in violence at holy sites in Jerusalem and Hebron. Several have been seriously injured and death tolls are very likely. Therefore, we feel immediate action must be taken so that the current violence does not spiral out of control.

One of the sites is in the city of Hebron, where 500 Israeli settlers live among 170,000 Palestinians, is a flashpoint of conflict between the two people. The site, referred to as Al-Ibrahimi Mosque by the Muslims and the Cave of the Patriarchs by Jews, is holy to both sides as it is the burial site of Prophet Abraham who is viewed as patriarch of both people. In 1994, thirty-nine Palestinians were massacred while offering morning prayers at the holy site by Baruch Goldstein, an extremist Israeli settler.

The second site is the traditional tomb of the biblical Rachel located deep in the West Bank on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Israel's self proclaimed security wall cuts into Bethlehem to put the site under Israeli control. The 30-foot (8-meter) high concrete wall is a constant irritant to Palestinians there, who reject Israel's claims that the barrier is meant to keep out attackers and consider it a land grab.

We feel this action jeopardizes all peace initiatives and threatens to make the region more volatile. We believe that our government must make every effort to influence the Israeli government to reverse its decision and to pursue negotiations that will lead to the creation of a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capitol. We feel that the US Government has the capability to change the current situation since it provides Israel with billions of dollars of aid each year. We believe that the creation of a viable, contingent Palestinian state on the territories occupied since 1967 is in the interest of the American People as it will lead to stability in the region and end hostile attitudes toward our country.

We urge you to use all your power and influence to address our concern and rely on your wisdom and support.