1. TIMELEAP members were introduced and the mission statement and objectives were reviewed. Rep. Price was thanked for his strong support of issues in the Middle East, specifically the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US policies toward Iran.
 

2. Rep. Price was provided with the following documents:

• TIMELEAP position papers on Israeli Military Aid, Palestinian House Demolitions, President Carter's Peace Initiative, and The Impact of Israeli Settlements
• FCNL document entitled “Iran in the Key to Middle East Peace” by Jim Fine
• A Rabbinic Letter to Senators John McCain and Barack Obama by Brit Tzedek v’Shalom
• List of key US Defense Contractors that are confirmed suppliers of tactical vehicles and weaponry to Israel (thank you to Abrahim Thompson)
• Report of the Meeting of Peace Groups in NY with President Ahmadinejad of Iran, Sept. 2008
• “Preparing the Battlefield” by Seymour Hersh, NewYorker, July 2008
• “Jewish Victim of Israeli Right-wing Terror Speaks Out”, Tikkun Sept. 2008

3. Rep. Price was presented with the TIMELEAP objectives to: stop Palestinian house demolitions, halt further construction of the separation wall, end the Gaza blockade, bring all parties including HAMAS to negotiations, create a nuclear-free zone, and importantly - redirect military aid to Israel to peaceful purposes for both nations.

4. Regarding the US policy on Iran, the following issues were presented and thoughtfully discussed:

i. Continued opposition to H.Con. Res. 362 if re-introduced in the next Congress.

ii. The danger and potential impact of Congressional approval of military action against Iran without prior approval of Congress. Two recent pieces of legislation introduced by Barbara Lee were specifically mentioned - HR 6951 to prevent covert actions by the US in Iran, and amendment HR 1581 which prohibits funding (authorized by the bill) to be used for any military action again Iran without congressional approval.

iii. The need for continued and strengthened leadership from Rep. Price, particularly the need for his previously proposed approach through a diplomatic surge.

iv. A resurrection of talks with Iran based on their initiatives of 2003 and 2005 - including help in ending the war in Iraq, and the Israeli occupation.

 

Submitted by Susan Concannon