The Office of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 May 19, 2017 OneVoice on Campus chapters of: American University Catholic University University of Chicago CUNY John Jay DePaul University Georgetown University George Washington University Harvard University Howard University University of Illinois in Chicago UMass Amherst New York University Northeastern Illinois University North Park University Princeton University Yale University
Dear Secretary Tillerson: As students at colleges and universities across the United States, our politics may differ, as may our backgrounds, our faiths, and our places of birth, but we are united by our shared belief that all people have the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” For those of us raised in this country, it is a conviction that flavors the way we perceive the world; and for those of us raised outside of this country, it was a call that first drew us to these shores. Sadly, these most central of American values have proven elusive to millions of our family and friends, people who share our religion and our nationality, in Israel and Palestine. This June marks 50 years since the Six Day War, 50 years of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people, 50 years of endless cycles of violence, uncertainty, and despair. After 50 years, it is time that Israelis and Palestinians finally know the peace, security, and liberty that we as Americans are so proud to enjoy, that we as Americans work so hard to spread around the globe. Ahead of the US presidential state visit to the Middle East, we, the undersigned, 722 students representing 17 college campuses in Chicago, the Northeast, and Washington, DC, through the accompanying petition, lend our support to a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. Every day, we as members of OneVoice on Campus see Jews and Arabs working together, supporting one another as we strive towards a brighter future for all. It is in that spirit that we believe so strongly in urgent need for an end to the military occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, the creation of the necessary conditions for a two-state solution in accordance with international law, and the assurance of freedom, liberty, and equality for all those in Israel and Palestine. Therefore, we call upon this administration to commit to advancing a just resolution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict as a central aim of our country’s foreign policy. Respectfully, Students of OneVoice on Campus chapters at American University, Catholic University, University of Chicago, City University of New York John Jay, DePaul University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Harvard University, Howard University, University of Illinois in Chicago, University of Massachusetts Amherst, New York University, Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, Princeton University, Yale University
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