I am writing to urge your office to join us as we advocate for the residency rights of Palestinians in Jerusalem. We feel the issue needs to be a priority for the PLO and the Palestinian Authority, given the serious developments in recent months. While Palestinian family reunification permits in Jerusalem have always faced hurdles, the cancellation of Jerusalem identity cards due to “center of life” requirements and recent revelations that 10,000 applications have yet to receive even initial review by the Israeli Interior Ministry compels us to speak out strongly against these human rights violations. 

I look forward to your cooperation and leadership in defending Palestinian rights in Jerusalem in light of continuing Israeli government abuses. 

Sincerely,  

Member of the Campaign for Palestinian Residency Rights in Jerusalem, USA. 

Note: This post card petition was initiated by the AFSC Chicago in March 1997. Numerous copies of a similar letter have been addressed to Palestine President Yasser Arafat. As of June 1997, neither the Presidential Office nor Ambassador al-Qidwa had sent their response.