Israel is the only nation in the world to recognize its own hold over East Jerusalem. The rest of the world recognizes that East Jerusalem is part of the West Bank, Occupied by Israel since 1967.
It is not "disputed". It is simply Occupied. No matter what Netenyahu or any other Israeli Prime Minister might say.
So when the Obama administration publicly challenged the Israeli government on its very public display of arrogance when it announced even more illegal settlements in East Jerusalem on the eve of "talks", it did the right thing. Many of us believe Obama has not gone far enough, but he was correct in challenging this policy that is sure to derail any kind of peace talks for a very long time.
The problem is, now the US Congress is taking the side of the right-wing government of Israel, and standing against Obama's policy. Over 320 Congresspeople have signed onto a letter urging, essentially, that Obama shut-up. They chose to support Netenyahu in this dispute, and oppose the even the mild criticisms of President Obama.
327 of the 435 members of the House of Representatives have signed onto a letter, written up by the extremist group AIPAC, that says
Dear Secretary Clinton:
We are writing to reaffirm our commitment to the unbreakable bond that exists between our country and the State of Israel and to express to you our deep concern over recent tension. In every important relationship, there will be occasional misunderstandings and conflicts. The announcement during Vice President Biden’s visit was, as Israel’s Prime Minister said in an apology to the United States, "a regrettable incident that was done in all innocence and was hurtful, and which certainly should not have occurred." We are reassured that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commitment to put in place new procedures will ensure that such surprises, however unintended, will not recur.
....
We recognize that, despite the extraordinary closeness between our country and Israel, there will be differences over issues both large and small. Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits longstanding strategic allies.-- Full Statement
Resolved Quietly. In other words, this is admonishing the Obama administration to keep differences quiet, in contrast to this very public challenge from the Obama administration to Israel to abide by past agreements, to stop building up settlements that will prevent peace.
Notice also that it does concede that there was an error made by Israel... not the settlements, which are supported by AIPAC, but the timing of an announcement regarding more building in Occupied East Jerusalem. In other words, it does not matter that Israel is taking land by military force, just don't make a big deal of it on the same day a US dignitary lands in Israel.
If there is to be any progress in peace, there must be pressure on Israel to abide by international law and to stop the building of illegal settlements in West Bank. Ignoring it, or merely whispering concerns in the waiting ears of intransigent leaders of Israel is not going to get us anywhere. That approach has failed.
There has been much buzz about a recent survey that asked Jewish Americans about their views on this matter. What was clear is that the majority supported President Obama's approach, and wanted a fairer approach than the one championed by organizations like AIPAC. Most also oppose further settlements. Sadly, this is not what we are hearing in Congress. Instead Congress regurgitates the AIPAC line. If Congress will not even listen to Jewish Americans concerns that Israel stop the settlement building and President Obama's approach to publicly opposing such moves... i suppose you can forget about most of them listening to most other Americans on the issue.
Congress must be forced to listen to reason. First, find out if your congressperson is one of the 327 (and probably growing) who signed on to the AIPAC letter by going here. Then let them know that you support public disagreements when Israeli policy hurts chances for peace in the Middle East. Because this conflict hurts US interests. Because we believe in a future of peace and justice for the peoples of the Middle East.
Every Spring, AIPAC has a "policy conference" in Washington DC. Every year, more congresspeople visit this event than any other event... except the State of the Union address. I suggest that next year we show our support for Middle East peace and go very public in opposing this Lobby for Occupation and War. We need to protest this organization as we would any other reactionary group that supports policies that are so repugnant. There have been many protests of aipac recently, i propose a massive one next Spring in DC. IN the mean time, they have many smaller events around the country, we can confront them there... and send Congress the message -AIPAC does not speak for us.