Aref Assaf, PhD

President

American Arab Forum

Paterson, NJ

November 10, 2007

Honorable Bill Pascrell

Washington, DC

Dear Congressman Pascrell:

Subject: Thank you for signing the Ackerman-Boustany letter to Secretary Rice

Dear Congressman Pascrell:

I wish to thank you for signing the Ackerman-Boustany letter to Secretary Rice that commendeds her efforts to reinvigorate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by convening an international conference this fall and called for additional steps to ensure its success.

The letter sent by Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Charles Boustany (R-LA), along with no less than  133 other Members of Congress, welcomed the Annapolis meeting, called for "robust, hands-on U.S. leadership and diplomacy," and stated that "resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, through the establishment of two states for two peoples, is too important not to seize the opportunities that have emerged over the past weeks."

As An Arab American, I am keenly supportive of your efforts to bring peaceful and just end to the Palestine/Israel conflict. We will make certain your efforts are known to our community.

The letter, as you may already know, has been supported by many Arab and Jewish organizations. We hope this effort will herald a news chapter in the often polarized relations between our two communities. Your support is an endorsement of our feeble efforts to work together as American citizens to promote peace and justice around the world.

Sincerely,

Aref Assaf

American Arab forum