We are American Jews who care deeply about Israel and who are filled with sorrow by the continuous cycle of violence and death in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We call upon the US government to embrace an initiative that can build on the momentum generated by the Gaza withdrawal, lay the groundwork for a negotiated settlement, safeguard the lives of Israeli settlers, and remove a major obstacle to peace.

We call upon the US government:

• To urge the Israeli government to reverse its longstanding policy of offering financial inducements to Israeli settlers in the West Bank and to redirect those funds to settlers who are now willing to return voluntarily to Israel proper;
  
  
• To provide generous foreign assistance and to solicit contributions from the European Union, other major industrial democracies, and the United Nations for this massive relocation effort.
  

FOR THE SAKE OF ISRAEL'S SECURITY, BRING THE SETTLERS HOME
The settlers have never enhanced Israel's security. On the contrary, their vulnerability to attack has resulted in the loss of thousands of Israeli soldiers and civilians. Those who live on land expected to be negotiated as part of the future Palestinian State, especially those in settlements that are distant from the Green Line (pre-1967 borders of Israel) and are surrounded by much larger Arab populations, are an obstacle to peace; their continued presence prevents a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

FOR THE SAKE OF ISRAEL'S ECONOMY, BRING THE SETTLERS HOME
The cost of sustaining and protecting the settlers is draining Israel's resources; it limits Israel's ability to provide vital social services, build a stable economy, and ensure peaceful coexistence between the Jews and the Arabs of Israel.

PROVIDING SUITABLE COMPENSATION OPENS UP THE POSSIBILITY FOR MANY SETTLERS TO VOLUNTARILY RETURN TO ISRAEL PROPER
A popular misconception claims that settlers would uniformly resist any attempt to bring them home to Israel, but a November 2005 survey* of settlers whose communities are on the Palestinian side of the separation barrier found that about 25% would be willing to leave immediately if they were offered comparable housing within the Green Line. The poll also found that 35% percent of the settlers and 74% of the general public support the new 'evacuation-compensation' bill that would enable those who wish to move out of their settlement to do so, in return alternative housing within the Green Line.

A 2002 survey** revealed that 59% of settlers are prepared to accept a withdrawal from the settlements in exchange for suitable financial compensation in the context of a democratic decision by the Israeli government. Only 2% would fight against the decision with illegal means. The survey also found that 77% of settlers chose to live in settlements for “quality of life” reasons and just 20% of settlers moved to the occupied territories for religious reasons.

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