Jewish groups oppose Palestinian act

Jewish groups oppose Palestinian act

More than a dozen local Jewish groups signed a petition urging President Bush not to sign legislation that would isolate the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority. Boston’s Jewish Women for Justice in Israel/Palestine and Oakland’s Jewish Voice for Peace were among at least 16 local Jewish groups to sign a petition organized by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. Separately, Americans for Peace Now and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom also have opposed the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, passed in Congress’ final days, saying it’s too constraining at a time when relative moderates among the Palestinians need U.S. support. The bill’s backers, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, say the bill is flexible enough to allow funds to reach destitute Palestinians and moderates.