Middle East: Over 400 Members of the Congress urge Obama on peace

More than 400 elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate signed a letter calling for President Barack Obama to step up his efforts for peace in the Middle East, reported Friday a source from the Congress.

•     In the House of Representatives, 330 members signed the letter initiated by the Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Democratic leader of the minority Republican Eric Cantor. The letter was sent to the White House Thursday evening.
  
      In the Senate, a similar letter, signed by 76 senators, was sent to the president last week, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington.
  
      “As each barrier is huge, we agree with you that every effort should be made to try to achieve peace as soon as possible,” reads a letter.
  
      The letter stressed the ‘principles’ supported by key members: the two sides must negotiate their own peace, the United States must work in close collaboration with Israel, they must insist that the Palestinians renounce violence and that they build the institutions necessary for a viable Palestinian state, Washington must push for greater participation of other Arab states.
  
      The AIPAC, the American lobbying group Pro Israel, which supports the initiative of parliament, applauds the Congress for this important demonstration, beyond the partisan division, support for U.S. efforts to help Israel achieve peace with its Arab neighbours, said Josh Block, spokesman for the organization.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ afp