The following email was sent by US Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office to constituents who emailed her on the topic of Israel and Palestine. Her comments reflect a clear break from the positions of AIPAC and the pro-Israel lobby.
Key excerpt:
However, like you, I have grave concerns about the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and I believe that this issue is a major stumbling block to a peace agreement. In my view, settlement activity should be halted until an agreement is reached. Neither side should take any actions which would prejudice the outcome of negotiations on the final status issues.
Full email:
From: senator@feinstein.senate.gov
To: Sanjeev Bery
Date: Thu, Apr 29, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Subject: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein responding to your message
Mailed-by: feinstein.senate.gov
Dear Mr. Bery:
Thank you for writing to express your support for the Obama Administration’s position on the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. I appreciate hearing from you on this topic, and welcome the opportunity to respond.
Please know that I have read your letter with interest. As a United States Senator and Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the strength of the American-Israeli relationship, one based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Never before have our two countries worked more closely together on security matters in the face of common threats – international terror organizations and the spread of weapons of mass destruction – and I believe that these collaborative efforts should send a major signal to our Israeli friends that we stand with them wholeheartedly and fully.
However, like you, I have grave concerns about the expansion of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and I believe that this issue is a major stumbling block to a peace agreement. In my view, settlement activity should be halted until an agreement is reached. Neither side should take any actions which would prejudice the outcome of negotiations on the final status issues.
Further, the United States must take a leadership role in driving both parties towards a final peace agreement – based on two states, living side by side in peace and security. We must commit ourselves to a robust, sustained diplomatic initiative with a constant presence on the ground, offering ideas and solutions to bridge the gap on the most intractable issues. This is the one thing we can do which will have the most profound impact on peace and security in the Middle East.
Indeed, there are many obstacles before us, but we have no choice except to press ahead, and I stand ready to work to achieve the peace we all seek. As the Senate continues to debate both our foreign policy in the Middle East and funding levels to Israel in fiscal year 2011 and beyond, please know that I will keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope that you will continue to write on matters of importance to you. Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Sunjeev Bery 
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