BACKGROUND
What is AAPER?
The American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights (AAPER) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to inform the American public about the human and national rights of the Palestinian people and the role of the United States in the Middle East.
Why was AAPER formed?
For too many years, Americans have seen narrowly-focused, but highly-effective, special interest groups help forge a misleading American discourse about Palestine and an inequitable U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine that has tragically and dramatically failed the peoples of the United States, Israel, Palestine and beyond. These groups have succeeded as much from their own work as from the relative absence of any meaningful institution to compete with them.
AAPER was formed to provide an institution for the millions of Americans who believe in an equitable U.S. policy toward Palestine that advances equality in Israel and Palestine, peace in the Middle East and sustainable security for the United States.
HISTORY
When was AAPER formed?
AAPER was formed by an attorney who, while studying human rights law just a few blocks from Capitol Hill during the second Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, became concerned by congressional resolutions that failed to hold Israel’s government either responsible or accountable for violations of Palestinian human rights.
What is AAPER's history?
In early 2007, AAPER opened offices in Washington, DC and hired two full-time staff members. From 2007 through 2008, AAPER produced high-quality information about Palestine, including websites, brochures, postcards, e-cards, ads, and presentations, as well as assembled educational tools, including a Palestine Film List, a Palestine Speakers List, Parties for Palestine packages, and more, to be used by Americans across the United States. It also finalized details of its Five for Palestine Campaign.
In January of 2009, AAPER began its public communications. Today, AAPER is working with Americans across the United States to systematically build a highly-organized network of Americans who share its commitment to equality in Israel and Palestine, peace in the Middle East and an equitable U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine that upholds the interests and ideals of the American people. We expect that network to grow rapidly throughout 2009 and we invite you to become a part of it.
PEOPLE
Who is AAPER?
AAPER is a fast-growing group of Americans who believe an equitable U.S. policy toward Palestine that advances equality in Israel and Palestine, peace in the Middle East and sustainable security for the United States. AAPER is an institution, not a set of individuals. That principle permeates the organization's culture and is reflected on its website.
Who funds AAPER? Individuals like you. AAPER receives no corporate or governmental support and relies exclusively on private donations.
Does AAPER offer internships? Yes, please click here to apply.
If I make a financial contribution to AAPER, how will it be spent?
Contributions to AAPER are spent on the organization's programs to educate the American public and their elected representatives about the situation in Palestine. Specifically, your contributions will be used to produce professional informational resources about Palestine, including presentations, brochures, postcards, e-cards, organize educational and advocacy trainings, plan speaking engagements, Palestine film showings and film festivals, and maintain and develop a first-rate online presence using the latest advocacy and networking technology.
BELIEFS
What does AAPER believe?
AAPER believes that U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine should: (1) support the rights of Palestinian Christians and Muslims to freedom and equality; (2) stand with those Israeli citizens and civic organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to equality and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians; and (3) support those Palestinians who seek freedom and equality through nonviolent actions against Israel's occupation and discriminatory laws.
Does AAPER support one state or two states in the land of Israel and Palestine?
AAPER believes that it is up to Palestinians and Israelis to decide whether they should live in one state or two states. As Americans, we believe that our responsibility is not to negotiate detailed governmental structures or border arrangements for other countries, but rather to ensure that our government works to create an environment in which the parties can negotiate such matters based on the principle of equal rights, not unequal power.
RESULTS
How does AAPER measure its results? What are its metrics of success?
AAPER measures the results of its educational work primarily by counting the number of Americans that it educates and engages about the situation in Palestine.
When does AAPER expect to see results?
AAPER expects to see consistent and increasing results over the next few years as more Americans learn about and support AAPER's work and the organization’s capacity to reach still more Americans grows. Ultimately, our success depends upon you.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Does the AAPER work with other organizations committed to the cause of equality in Israel and Palestine?
Yes, AAPER works with many local and national organizations who share our commitment to equality in Israel and Palestine, peace in the Middle East and an equitable U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine that upholds the interests and ideals of the American people. AAPER provides organizations with staff support, education and advocacy training, professional informational resources about Palestine, including presentations, brochures, postcards, e-cards, and access to films and speakers, first-rate websites using the latest advocacy and networking technology, local and national contacts, and integration into a broad-based national plan.
Is AAPER affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization or any other international organization?
No.
AAPER AND YOU
How does AAPER communicate its actions, updates and results?
AAPER communicates its actions, updates and results through emails that it sends to its supporters on a regular basis. Subscribers to AAPER’s email list can expect to receive 1-2 emails per week, except in exceptional cases, when they might receive between 3 emails in a week. Click here to subscribe to AAPER's email list.
How can I help?
1) Make a contribution to AAPER
2) Join AAPER’s Five for Palestine Campaign by visiting www.fiveforpalestine.org
3) Become an AAPER Volunteer 4) Start an AAPER Chapter in your city or state |
