[cross-posted to Tikun Olam]

A coalition of American Jewish peace groups is supporting a newly introduced resolution written by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D, CA) and Richard Lugar (R, IN), S.R. 224, which reaffirms American support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urges President Bush to appoint a high-level peace negotiator to revive peace talks between the parties, and urges them to embrace the Arab League peace plan.

Americans for Peace Now notes:

The resolution, cosponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Max Baucus (D-MT), Robert Byrd (D-WV), John Sununu (R-NH), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), reaffirms the Senate's commitment to a "true and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the establishment of 2 states, the State of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, with recognized borders." It also calls on President Bush to "pursue a robust diplomatic effort to engage the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, begin negotiations, and make a 2-state settlement a priority." It calls on the President to "consider appointing a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace who has held cabinet rank or is equally qualified, with extensive knowledge of foreign affairs in general and the Middle East region in particular." The resolution also welcomes the Arab League Peace Initiative and calls on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "embrace efforts to achieve peace and refrain from taking any actions that would prejudice the outcome of final status negotiations."

If your senators aren't yet co-sponsors please visit the Brit Tzedek site and send them an e mail urging them to do so.

Curious what posture AIPAC will take toward this. They surely can't publicly sabotage it. But privately...? They've got to feel the Arab League plan is pure trash. But as Olmert has made sympathetic noises about it (and not done anything beyond that naturally) can AIPAC publicly trash it?