Mar 06 2020

CWA International: This Week in Washington, Support for Israel

By Ashley Traficant | International, News and Events, Support for Israel, Support for Israel | No Comments

Support for Israel

AIPAC Policy Conference

CWA International had the privilege of attending AIPAC’s (American Israel Political Action Committee) Policy Conference this week in Washington, D.C., to learn and celebrate the American-Israel relationship. Echoed throughout the general sessions and breakouts was the need to protect the bipartisan nature of our relationship with Israel and the importance of fighting anti-Semitism—there was a clear undertone, vocalized explicitly by a few speakers, of the dangers of Bernie Sanders’ statements calling AIPAC bigoted and Israel racist. Comments that Dr. Shea Garrison rebutted last week.

CWA received an invitation to attend the conference as a result of our collaboration with AIPAC as we take on these issues both on the Hill and internationally. Thank you for joining with us in standing with Israel and against anti-Semitism.

Talking Points on President Trump’s Peace Plan

You’ve heard us talk about the President’s Peace to Prosperity plan proposing a starting point for negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, but now we have talking points to break it down for you. Shea has taken the time to clearly outline and articulate key components and contours of the plan. This way we can all understand it without having to read all 181 pages. Check it out here.

Election

Israel had another election this week, the third in less than a year. Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin — Bibi — Netanyahu has won the most seats, but at the time of writing is still three seats short of the 61 seats needed to have a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. It is believed Bibi will be able to increase his coalition in order to reach the 61-seat threshold and maintain his seat as Prime Minister—but this year has shown that nothing can be taken for granted.

Mar 01 2020

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“Peace to Prosperity”—Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan: What’s in it and how should I respond?

By Dr. Shea Garrison | International, News and Events, Support for Israel | No Comments

CWA has as its seventh core issue Support for Israel. Dr. Shea Garrison, CWA’s Vice President for International Affairs, did an analysis of President Trump’s Middle East Peace to Prosperity plan. We encourage you to read her talking points , and as you gather to pray, please consider praying over each point I-IV as the Holy Spirit leads you. Pray also that Palestinian leadership will one day come to the table in good faith with a spirit of cooperation and peace. Israel’s security and wellbeing are always at stake, and the Palestinian people deserve a commitment from their leaders to work to create peace and prosperity for all.

Feb 28 2020

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Something Smells About Bernie’s Self-declared ‘Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian’ Platform

By Dr. Shea Garrison | Blog, International, News and Events, Support for Israel | No Comments

Concerned Women for America’s Vice President of International Affairs, Dr. Shea Garrison wrote the following opinion article published in Town Hall:

Senator Bernie Sanders’ accusation of bigotry, aimed at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, is ironic given that AIPAC is a bi-partisan group that supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, something that Bernie says he also supports. Bernie also wants “an independent, democratic, economically viable” Palestinian state, the same objectives outlined in detail in President Donald Trump’s recent peace plan — yet Bernie has publicly rejected that, too.

Something smells about Bernie’s ongoing declaration that he is both “pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian.” He has digressed to the same modus operandi favored by the Palestinians — hurling racist accusations, refusing to engage — with the attitude that nothing is ever good enough.

When “Peace to Prosperity,” President Trump’s Middle East peace plan, was announced last month, the Palestinians escalated violent attacks, injuring and killing both Israelis and Palestinians. Refusing for months to even engage with the U.S., they rejected the plan before even seeing it. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank called it a deceptive plan, expanding Israeli settlements and promoting apartheid (another form of bigotry). Hamas in the Gaza Strip said that armed and united Palestinian resistance against the “occupying power” is the only way to confront the “dangerous deal.”

It is important to realize that this “dangerous” deal that incites violence in the Palestinians, and outright rejection from Senator Sanders, requires Israel to make a significant transfer of land for a new Palestinian state that is comparable in size to the pre-1967 territory of the West Bank and Gaza — something that Sanders says he wants. It also provides substantial opportunity for economic growth with a massive investment of $50 billion supported by new infrastructure.

The economic part of this plan (which makes up at least two-thirds) is particularly significant, as it hopes to empower and create stability among the Palestinians, breaking their cycle of terrorism, poverty, and reliance on foreign aid. Again, these are goals that Sanders has said that a peace plan must have. Estimates for potential economic growth from the investment is to double the (currently stagnate) Palestinian GDP in ten years with the creation of over one million new jobs, cutting the poverty rate in half.

Read the Entire Piece Here:

Jan 31 2020

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Historic Peace Proposal

By Ashley Traficant | News and Events, Support for Israel | No Comments

President Trump announced a historic new peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Wednesday. He did this alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, after meeting with Netanyahu’s political rival for the position of PM, General Gantz. Both Netanyahu and Gantz committed to using this plan as the basis for future negotiations with the Palestinians.

Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” is the most detailed plan yet, professing to be more comprehensive and “realistic” than the Oslo Accords of the 1990s with the goal of safeguarding Israel’s security and bringing prosperity and opportunity to the Palestinians. This plan lays the groundwork for negotiations by diving into some of the most complex aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It aims not only “… to end the conflict, (but also) unlock the vast human potential and economic opportunity that peace will bring to Israelis, Palestinians and the region as a whole … given the realities on the ground and in the broader Middle East.”

Chief among these complexities are the suggested borders of a “realistic two-state solution” that gives the Palestinians self-governing authority but “not the powers to threaten Israel.” This is the first time Israel has agreed to tangible lines on a map as a starting point for negotiations in order to progress towards a two-state solution. A conceptual map of what a potential future state of Palestine might look like is included in the plan.

The plan centers on three initiatives to support the economy, people, and government of a “prosperous and vibrant Palestinian society”. However, there are preconditions the Palestinians must meet to be eligible for statehood. As a sign of good faith, Israel has agreed to a four-year freeze on settlements or development on land proposed to be part of a Palestinian state. This gives the Palestinians time to meet the requirements which include reforming their banking system, ending support for terrorism, building their infrastructure and civil society, and negotiating for peace.

The plan includes $50 billion in commercial investment in a future Palestine. This would cut the poverty rate of Palestinians in half which could also serve as a deterrent or alternative to terrorism with better options for the future. These investments would economically connect the Palestinians to the Israelis, as well as with the rest of the region and world. Economic ties disincentivize violence in conflict areas by creating a common interest.

Another historic milestone is support for the plan by Arab neighbors in the region. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are encouraging Palestinian leaders to use Peace to Prosperity as the starting point for negotiations. Ambassadors from Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE attended the announcement of the plan at the White House, reflecting how the tremendous importance of peace extends beyond the Israelis and Palestinians to the region.

It may be that current U.S. challenges with Iran ripened the timing of this plan. Iranian general Qassem Soleimani oversaw Iran’s control of Hamas and Hezbollah who operate and even run parts of the Palestinian territories. A peace plan, especially one supported by the Gulf States, diffuses and perhaps eliminates Iran’s reach into Gaza and the West Bank.

The President has taken decisive action in successive steps that curates an opening for peace. CWA International Affairs is assessing the historic plan and will look for ways to engage in its success. We ask that you pray with us for wisdom for the U.S. administration and for Israel, and that all parties seize this historic moment for the peace and prosperity of the Israelis, Palestinians, and the region.

White House Fact Sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trumps-vision-peace-prosperity-brighter-future-israel-palestinian-people/

Full Plan: https://whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Peace-to-Prosperity-0120.pdf

CWA Press Release: https://concernedwomen.org/cwalac-applauds-president-trumps-efforts-to-achieve-middle-east-peace/

Jan 28 2020

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CWALAC Applauds President Trump’s efforts to Achieve Middle East Peace

By Dr. Shea Garrison | International, News and Events, Press Releases, Support for Israel, Support for Israel | No Comments

Washington, D.C. — Today President Trump announced his comprehensive plan “Peace to Prosperity” to secure Israeli and Palestinian peace. In attendance with Prime Minister Netanyahu and General Gantz, the leader of Israel’s Blue and White Party, were ambassadors from the U.A.E, Bahrain, and Oman. Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) had this to say:

“Thank you, President Trump, for your unwavering commitment of support for our friend and ally Israel and to building sustainable peace in the Middle East.

“It is our hope that this plan is a catalyst for a real and lasting peace that improves the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. By bringing together partners within the Gulf states, we envision that a solution may be reached that is beneficial to both parties and supported by allies on both sides of the conflict.

“President Trump has secured the commitment of both Prime Minister Netanyahu and General Gantz to use this plan as the basis for any direct negotiations with the Palestinians. Regardless of the outcome of Israel’s historic March 2020 elections, Israel and the U.S. will continue to work towards peace.

“We hope the Palestinian leadership will come to the table in good faith. The Palestinian people deserve a commitment from their leaders to negotiate a deal that creates peace and prosperity for all.

“Thank you, President Trump, for once again upholding your promise to support Israel and peace in the Middle East with the release of this comprehensive plan. CWALAC looks forward to delving further into the details of ‘Peace to Prosperity’ to see how we might best engage on the path to success.”

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Nov 19 2019

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CWA Supports the Trump Administration’s stance on Israeli Settlements

By CWFA Staff | International, News and Events, Press Releases, Support for Israel | No Comments

CWA Supports the Trump Administration’s

stance on Israeli Settlements

Today Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that the U.S. agrees with President Reagan’s administration that Israeli settlements are not inconsistent with international law.

Penny Nance, CEO and President, and Dr. Shea Garrison, Vice President of International Affairs for Concerned Women for America released this statement:

“We applaud Sec. Pompeo and the Trump administration for their right stance in declaring Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem consistent with international law. The U.S. will no longer view Israeli settlements as illegal, cancelling a legal position adopted by the U.S. State Department in 1978 by the Carter administration. We stand with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, who most closely shares our democratic values.”

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