Exactly one year ago, President Obama appointed Sen. George Mitchell his Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and declared:  "I was deeply concerned by the loss of Palestinian and Israeli life in recent days and by the substantial suffering and humanitarian needs in Gaza. Our hearts go out to Palestinian civilians who are in need of immediate food, clean water, and basic medical care, and who've faced suffocating poverty for far too long. Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek peace. As part of a lasting cease-fire, Gaza's border crossings should be open to allow the flow of aid and commerce...Relief efforts must be able to reach innocent Palestinians who depend on them." Yet one year later, the Obama Administration has done little to change the situation for Palestinians living in the occupied Gaza Strip.  The United States continues to permit Israel to inflict a crushing blockade on the Gaza Strip, an illegal act of collective punishment against the 1.5 million Palestinians living there.  It's clear that it is up to us to create the political power to transform President Obama's rhetoric into reality.  Here are five ways that you can help make this possible. 1. Attend the US Campaign/Interfaith Peace-Builders Grassroots Advocacy Training and Lobby Day, March 7-8 in Washington, DC.  Build your skills as a grassroots advocate for a just peace in Palestine/Israel and meet with your Members of Congress to press for an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip and other important policy issues.  To learn more and to register, please click here. 2. Join the US Campaign's Congressional District Coordinator (CDC) network.  Since we re-launched our network with an interactive Congressional district map last October, more than 100 people in 25+ states and 75 Congressional districts have signed up to coordinate efforts with us to educate their Members of Congress on policy issues.  Find out who is organizing in your Congressional district, check out our map, and sign up to be a CDC by clicking here.  3. Join us for a conference call on Thursday, January 28 at 9PM Eastern to strategize about challenging the FY2011 budget request for $3 billion in military aid to Israel.  We'll be joined by members of the Coalition to Stop $30 Billion to Israel who will update us on their creative billboard campaign in Albuquerque.  Find out how you can replicate this campaign in your community and more.  To RSVP and get call-in info, please click here. 4. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask your Representative to sign on to the McDermott/Ellison "Dear Colleague" letter on humanitarian conditions in Gaza.  We understand that this important letter is still open for signatures, so call today.  Read the full text of the letter by clicking here.  5. Make a tax-deductible contribution to the US Campaign to support our efforts to change U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine to support human rights, international law, and equality.  Make a secure on-line contribution by clicking here or call us in the office at 202-332-0994 to make a contribution by credit card.