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Ensure a peaceful village ’ s right to exist.

Ensure a peaceful village ’ s right to exist. How to ask your Senators and Representatives for help!. Your Goal:. To speak directly to their “ Senior Staffer for Foreign Policy ” Ask him or her to call the State Department and the Israeli Embassy on your behalf , and call you back!.

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Ensure a peaceful village ’ s right to exist.

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  1. Ensure a peaceful village’s right to exist. How to ask your Senators and Representatives for help!

  2. Your Goal: • To speak directly to their “Senior Staffer for Foreign Policy” • Ask him or her to call the State Department and the Israeli Embassy on your behalf, • and call you back!

  3. What you will need: • Phone number to your Representative’s or Senator’s office in Washington, D.C. • A phone and about 10-15 minutes for your call. • A follow-up email to send right after.

  4. First, Find the Number of Your Representative or Senator Go to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

  5. Place your call • When the receptionist answers, ask to speak to the senior staffer responsible for foreign policy. • Before your are transferred, ask for the senior staffer’s name and write it down.

  6. If you reach their voicemail Leave a message: • My name is ______ and I am a constituent. Please call me back at <your phone number>. • My message is urgent. I need your assistance to stop the demolition of five homes, and ensure a Palestinian village’s right to exist.

  7. When they answer, or call you back • Start by introducing yourself: • My name is ______ and I am a constituent from <your city> .

  8. Explain Whyyou are calling • My call is urgent. • I need your help to save five homes and the whole village of Al Aqaba in the West Bank, Jordan Valley.

  9. Tell them more • Have you heard about this case? • Al Aqaba is a peaceful village in the Jordan River Valley, far from any borders. There has never been a security violation – and the Israeli High Court even ruled in favor of the village in 2002.

  10. Americans Built This Place! • Hundreds of Americans helped a U.S. nonprofit called Rebuilding Alliance build a kindergarten there, and three new homes. • Twenty foreign embassies helped them build a medical center, sewing cooperative, and a herbal tea factory. • U.S. Rotary Clubs will soon install a birthing center!

  11. Al Aqaba is in the middle of the West Bank far from borders, NOT A SECURITY RISK.

  12. The West Bank since 1993 • 62% of the West Bank is designated “Area C”, and is controlled by the Israeli Civil Administration, part of the Israeli Army. • According to the Israeli human rights organization BIMKOM, the Israeli Civil Administration has issued over 12,500 demolition orders for Palestinian homes, schools, and shops.

  13. The Whole Town is threatened • In 2004, the Israeli Civil Administration issued demolition orders against the whole town of Al Aqaba – the mosque, the medical center, all but two homes, and the kindergarten FOR LACK OF UNATTAINABLE BUILDING PERMITS.

  14. Building permits are rarely, if ever, issued in Area C • A recent report by The Guardian states that the Israeli Civil Administration granted Palestinians only 91 of 1517 building applications, while during the same period 18,472 housing units were sanctioned and built in Jewish-only settlements.

  15. Catch-22 • On June 24, 2012, the Israeli Army issued orders to demolish five homes in Al Aqaba. • The families were given three days’ notice to petition for building permits. • However, on June 23, the army denied Al Aqaba’s 3rd master plan – and even denied their right to submit ANY master plan – a requirement for building permits.

  16. The Israeli High Court of Justice • Al Aqaba’s villagers and lawyers are petitioning the Israeli High Court to freeze the new demolition orders. • Will the High Court rule in favor of Al Aqaba and give its villagers a secure future on the land that they own?

  17. “As your constituent” • Please call the State Department, and the Embassy of Israel in Washington D.C. to express concern. • Please ask them why a village with so much support from the U.S. and Israel’s allies is slated for demolition. • Please ask them to stop bulldozers from destroying five families’ homes and livelihoods.

  18. Urge them to Acknowledge the Villagers’ Human Rights • Press the Israeli Civil Administration to accept Al Aqaba’s “Comprehensive Land Use Plan”. • Recognize Al Aqaba’s right to issue its own building permits, like any other town.

  19. Yes, I will email you a letter of request • TAKE DOWN INFORMATION! • “What is your email address? What is your title? Please spell your name for me once again.”

  20. When will you get back to me? • Write down the date, and expect your return call then.

  21. Thank you very much for your assistance • “I look forward to your call on <date promised> or I’ll give you a call to touch base.”

  22. Add Contact Info to the Template Letter • And email your letter to the Senior Staffer right away!

  23. Mark your calendar • To follow up on the date promised – and if possible, • Email us to let us know if you got through: Contact@RebuildingAlliance.org

  24. That’s it! • Chances are, they’ll make the calls. • Call us at the Rebuilding Alliance if you need help: (650) 325-4663

  25. Give Al Aqaba’s Families a Future

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