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Suggested email to congressperson << Back to Tour page Copy everything below and paste it into an email to your congressperson or their aide.
Dear (name of aide or congressperson):
I am requesting your support for the US visa applications of three Palestinian youth from Gaza, who have been invited to join a Fellowship of Reconciliation speaking tour around the United States. As you will note in the suggested letter below, these are exemplary youth who are trying to encourage peaceful dialogue between their people and others. If we truly believe in fostering a lasting peace in this trouble region, we must make it possible for young Palestinians -- the leaders of tomorrow -- to break out of their isolation and discuss solutions with the outside world. However, in order for these young people to even interview for a U.S. visa, they must be able to leave Gaza and travel to Jerusalem. The United States is one of only two countries in the world (along with the Czech Republic) that will not allow Gazans to interview via video conference or other technology, in recognition of the virtually total blockade imposed on the Strip by Israel. Recently, however, Israel has been denying such travel permits even for Gazans who need US visas for medical purposes. Although the U.S. consulate's official stance is that it cannot facilitate exit from Gaza, Gisha (Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, in Israel) says it has done so in the past. Please edit the email below as needed and send it to JerusalemVisa@state.gov, with a cc to me, as soon as possible. I will also follow up with you to discuss this request...Alternatively, you may contact me at (provide your name, address and phone number -- which also will establish you as a constituent).
Suggested email to the US Consulate in Jerusalem:
Dear Ambassador XX, I am writing in support of the U.S. visa applications for three young men from the Gaza Strip, who have interviews scheduled this month in your Jerusalem office.
These young men have been invited to visit the United States for two months by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (www.forusa.org), an interfaith organization that is committed to active nonviolence as a transforming way of life and as a means of radical change. It educates, trains, builds coalitions and engages in nonviolent and compassionate actions locally, nationally and globally. FOR believes these young men – Majed Abusalama, Sulaiman Alfayoumi and Mohammed Alnadi (see their ID info below) -- are exemplary examples of the youth in Gaza today who can help lead the region to peace tomorrow. To expose them to youth leaders in the United States who are working for peace, as well as to educate Americans on their own role in promoting people-to-people peace, FOR is sponsoring a speaking tour across the United States, from June 10-July 30, in which these young men and two middle-school girls from Gaza (who do not need help with their visa applications) will speak to schools, youth groups, etc.
However, as you well know, the United States is one of only two countries in the world (along with the Czech Republic) that will not allow Gazans to interview via video conference or other technology, in recognition of the virtually total blockade imposed on the Strip by Israel. Recently, however, Israel has been denying such travel permits even for Gazans who need US visas for medical purposes. I ask that you waive your stated policy of not facilitating such travel and contact the Israeli authorities at the Erez crossing on these youths' behalf. By making travel to Jerusalem their only option, the U.S. has effectively given veto authority to Israel, for a decision that should be the United States' alone.
Sincerely,
(signature)
ID information for the three Gazan youths traveling to the United States for the Fellowship of Reconciliation speaking tour:
Mohammed Alnadi -- Passport #: 2527907; birthdate: Dec. 12, 1987
Majed Abusalama -- 2269335, June 11, 1988
Sulaiman Alfayoumi -- 2522610, May 8, 1988
The youths were forced to miss their first visa appointment, scheduled for 2 p.m. May 20. They are now in the process of re-scheduling.
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