Spearheaded by House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D, NY-17), Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R, NE-01), Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), the law contains language that encourages international cooperation. It prioritizes peacebuilding and reconciliation programming in order to disrupt growing polarization and dehumanization in the region, helping to lay foundations for a genuine peace between Palestinians and Israelis. 

There is already growing international support for this effort. On November 17th, British MPs held a 90 minute debate in Westminster Hall, where every parliamentarian who spoke endorsed the concept and urged the United Kingdom to join the project, with Under Secretary of State James Duddridge committing to examine whether the UK will do so following the President-elect Biden’s inauguration in January. 

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, the House Appropriations Chairwoman and the lead Democrat on the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, which passed the US House of Representatives over the summer, stated, “It’s my fervent wish that before I retire, I will have helped cement congressional support for your work through the passage of the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act. Together, we have come so far to advance this legislation through the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support.”

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and the lead Republican on the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, stated, “We have worked so hard to achieve a new, positive vision for what can happen when we bring people together…in projects that are mutually beneficial.  We often talk about a roadmap for peace, and every road needs a foundation.  [The Middle East Partnership for Peace Act] is that foundation.” 

This historic enactment comes days after ALLMEP held its largest ever event, “Shine a Light.” This virtual gala aimed to explain this fund to a wider audience, amplify the vital work of ALLMEP’s 125+ member organizations, and build support for ALLMEP’s programs in the region as well as its advocacy efforts around the world. 

John Lyndon, Executive Director of ALLMEP, said: “We thank Chairwoman Lowey, Congressman Fortenberry, Senator Coons, and Senator Graham for their dedication to ensuring that this vision—which ALLMEP has championed for over ten years—has now been brought to life. With Israelis and Palestinians more polarized than ever, this Fund can radically scale programs designed to upend that reality, creating the relationships, movements and leaders that any just and equitable peace depends upon. We are also excited about the opportunity this legislation opens for a genuinely multilateral strategy, allowing the US to lead on the creation of a new, inclusive and institutionalized approach to peacebuilding alongside its global allies.” 

To view the release, click here

About ALLMEP

ALLMEP is a coalition of over 125 organizations—and tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities. ALMEP adds stability in times of crisis, foster cooperation that increases impact, and build an environment conducive to peace over the long term.