The National Interreligious Leadership Initiative (NILI), a group of leaders of Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious organizations, has urged the Obama administration to make a renewed push for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians based "on a two-state peace agreement before it is too late." In a May 20 letter to President Obama, NILI encouraged the U.S. to work with the Quartet of Middle East Peace brokers (Russia, the European Union, United Nations and U.S.) to achieve peace. General Minister and President Sharon Watkins was among the nearly 30 religious leaders signing the letter.
"We believe the United States, in coordination with the Quartet, should continue to respond carefully to the new Palestinian unity agreement and not act precipitously to cut off aid that is essential for humanitarian purposes and for building the capacity of a future Palestinian state," the letter states. "The agreement is helpful in forming a government capable of representing the West Bank and Gaza together. The unity government must commit itself to rejecting violence and negotiating a two-state peace agreement with Israel. We believe the United States should insist on these commitments." To read the full letter and learn more, go to: www.nili-mideastpeace.org
Offering received Sept. 26 & Oct. 3