The Jewish Peace Lobby succeeded in getting a Congressional recommendation in the budget bill for 1999 that the funds available for this program will be at the level of $600,000. The Peace Lobby together with IPCRI challenged the Members of Congress and the Department of State to create a vision for this program that would bring the level of funding up to a minimum of $10 million within five years. "This is a national security foreign policy issue that the United States government must address as part of its strategy to create true peace on the ground in the Middle East" stated IPCRI in their meetings.

The largest concern addressed by the policy makers in Washington is where would the additional money come from. The answer: Israel has agreed to an annual ongoing cut in its civilian support that it receives from the US. While it is true that some of the cut is being transferred to an enlarged military aid package, another significant portion, amounting to some $20 - 30 million dollars this year is a real cut. Next year there will be an additional cuts and the following years as well.

The United States is going to be requested to off-set the costs of Israeli redeployment in the West Bank as a means of supporting the peace process. Those funds are aimed at strengthening the Israeli security position. IPCRI and the Jewish Peace Lobby suggest that Israel's security position will be significantly strengthened both in the long-run and in the interim by creating peace amongst the Israeli and Palestinian peoples and not only by moving army camps and building additional by-pass roads. The United States is requested to make an additional contribution to the peace process by helping to facilitate a clear strategy for developing People-to-People contact in ways that will have a deep impact on both societies.

The task is achievable. The total population of Israel/Palestine numbers some 8 million people. The task of achieving peace should be based on the youth of today who will be the next generation of leaders. There are some 1 million Israeli and Palestinian secondary school pupils - about 250,000 in each grade level. Every Israeli and Palestinian school pupil should be obligated to engage in a program of peace education including physical multi-day encounters with students from the other side. These programs must be well prepared and conducted by professionals.

Today, IPCRI has a pilot peace education program in Israeli and Palestinian high schools involving some 2,000 students, several hundred teachers and tens of schools. This kind of program must be expanded which demands more financial resources. Similar programs can be created throughout Israel and Palestine and a revolution on the ground can swell upwards joining in the process of creating a real peace based on justice, equality, respect for human and national rights, and dignity.

IPCRI calls upon all of our friends to contact the US Secretary of State and the President to send letters of support for increased US spending on People-to-People activities. You should stress that the current level of spending ($600,000) is not a serious enough commitment by the US and that spending on this issue is important to you. Please feel free to send us copies of your letters.

IPCRI also calls on the government of Israel to revamp its policy of permits in a way that would allow for average Israeli and Palestinians to meet each other without having to request permission. The ongoing policy of closure does not add security to Israel. Any terrorists wishing to enter Israel can do so with a closure or without one. Just as a reminder, prior to 1993 there was no closure and no permit policy and Palestinians from all over could enter Israel at anytime without the need of a permit. Too often People-to-People activities have been canceled because the Palestinian participants could not get a permit to enter Israel, even though they were engaging in a peace activity. It is hard to imagine something more absurd. This must change. We call upon our friends to write letters to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office calling for a change to this policy that prevent peace and does not enhance security.

IPCRI also calls on the Palestinian Authority to encourage People-to-People activities. In the past, the PA has discouraged and even prevented people-to-people activites because of the lack of progress in the peace process. We are against that policy. Peace between Israelis and Palestinians must be encouraged at all times, perhaps even more when there is a breakdown in the formal process. We call upon our friends to write to President Arafat and appeal to him to support and encourage peacemaking People-to-People programs.

Visit IPCRI's Web Page at www.ipcri.org