71 senators urge Obama to press Arabs

Seventy-one senators have signed an AIPAC-backed letter to US President Barack Obama supporting his effort to encourage Arab states to normalize relations with Israel.

It comes after Americans for Peace Now and other left-wing pro-Israel groups - including Brit Tzedek v'Shalom and J Street - made a battleground of the document, which was circulated by Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and James Risch, (R-Idaho). They called on senators not to sign it unless it is amended to include mention of steps that all the parties in the Middle East need to take towards peace - especially Israel's need to stop settlement construction.

The letter, though, was held open a few more days than planned in order to continue to gather signatures - the total of 71 was announced on Monday, but the original "Dear Colleague" letter said the letter was scheduled to close the prior Wednesday. The letter gained around 30 signatories since Wednesday morning. 71 senators urge Obama to press Arabs. Zionist Sources