NEW YORK, March 26, 2010 (WAFA)- The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee ADC was represented by Legal Advisor, Mr. Abed Ayoub, at a town hall meeting in New York, which questioned why American taxpayers are paying for settlement development and violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem. 

The event, organized by Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), had a standing room only crowd.  ADC has been addressing the issue of improper financing of settlement development, and encouraging participation from members across the country to participate in the campaign addressing this issue.

Members of the panel also included Mr. Adam Horowitz of Mondoweiss.net, and Mr. Issa Amro, a B'tselem Representative residing in Hebron.  Mr. Amro, who appeared via video, talked about the difficulties faced on a daily basis by Palestinians living in Hebron.  The discussion was moderated by Ms. Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Director of JVP.  The speakers focused on what the public can do to stop American non-profit organizations from funding settlement developments.  Many of the attendees left invigorated and mobilized.

ADC National President, Sara Najjar-Wilson, stated that 'Settlements are a road block to peace.  It is deeply troubling that American non-profit organizations are engaging in questionable fundraising practices to help settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  ADC believes that such funding must cease; if not, the organizations' non-profit status should be revoked.'

ADC will continue monitoring the issue of settlement development in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.  ADC will feature a panel at the upcoming ADC National Convention, June 4-6, focusing on the situation in Palestine.  For more information about the upcoming ADC Convention please click here.  For video from the 2009 Convention, including the Foreign Policy Panel please click here.

ADC is non-profit, non-sectarian and non partisan, and the largest Arab-American Civil Rights Organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980, by former Senator James Abourezk, to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote Arab cultural heritage.  ADC has 38 chapters nationwide and members throughout the United States.  

 The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a tax exempt Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab-Americans and of importance to all Americans.