-
ISRAEL
- -----
- ABBAS WINS PALESTINIAN VOTE BY STRONG MARGIN
- New York Times - January 10, 2005 - by Steven Erlanger -RAMALLAH,
West Bank, Jan. 9 - Mahmoud Abbas, who opposes continuing violence
against Israel, declared victory Sunday night in the election
for president of the Palestinian Authority after two surveys
of voters leaving the polls showed him winning by a large margin.
[On Monday, the Associated Press reported that Mr. Abbas officially
won 62.3 percent of the vote.] "We offer this victory to
the soul of the brother martyr Yasir Arafat and to our people,
to our martyrs and to 11,000 prisoners" in Israeli jails,
Mr. Abbas, 69, told his supporters here. Honking horns, waving
flags and firing gunshots into the air, supporters celebrated
an expected victory. The strong margin, if it is borne out in
final results, should help give the quiet, cerebral Mr. Abbas
the ability to remake and reinvigorate the Palestinian Authority
and to try to put an end to violence. Based on the voter surveys,
released moments after the polls closed at 9 p.m., Mr. Abbas
is expected to win election to a five-year term with about 65
percent of the vote, more than 40 percentage points ahead of
his nearest challenger in a field of seven. Official results
are not expected until Monday.
- In Washington, President Bush welcomed the victory of Mr.
Abbas, calling it "a historic day for the Palestinian people
and the people of the Middle East," as administration officials
prepared to increase the tempo of their involvement in the region
while cautioning that Israel and the Palestinians must both take
concrete steps to capitalize on the election of the new president.
-----
- BETRAYED BY OUR "FRIENDS"
- Barry Chamish
- barrychamish.com
- February 2005 - ".... Israel is
no longer an independent, sovereign "State", it is
a laboratory, a test course for the Council on Foreign Relations.
Friends in Israel tried for years to warn us of this takeover,
few listened, fewer still cared. CFR members are highlighted
in RED. ..
As US Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice embarked on her maiden voyage, it was reported
that she departed from America armed with a new policy paper
on how to implement the Quartet's road map produced by the James Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice
University.
According to Edward Djerejian,
the former US ambassador to Syria who directs the Baker Center,
the paper, with its detailed recommendations, is a "street
map to the road map."
One of the things that make the paper significant is that it
bears former US secretary of state James Baker's name. Not only
did Baker serve under the president's father, he now plays a
formal role in mobilizing international support for Iraqi reconstruction
efforts.
As well, the team that composed the report included senior policy
makers from the US, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Canada
and the World Bank. The US was represented by current Assistant
Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William
Burns as well as by Norman
Olsen, the political counselor at the US embassy in Israel.
The PA was represented by security strongman Jibril Rajoub and
by senior aides to Mahmoud Abbas, Yasser Arafat and Ahmed Qurei.
Egypt was represented by Dictator Hosni Mubarak's senior adviser
Osama El Baz and by General Hossam Khair Allah. Read on:
- http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_betrayed_by_our_friends.html
- -----
- PM SHARON: "THERE WILL BE NO PROGRESS UNTIL TERRORISM
IS ELIMINATED."
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser) - Sunday,
27 February, 2005
- Following are Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's remarks at the
start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 27.2.05:
"This morning the Cabinet will receive a security briefing
in the wake of the murder of four Israelis and the wounding of
49 in Friday's terrorist attack ( http://tinyurl.com/5bys6 ).
- The terrorist attack was perpetrated by members of Islamic
Jihad. The orders came from Islamic Jihad elements in Syria;
even though we know this for a certainty, the fact is not enough
to absolve the Palestinian Authority (PA) of its responsibility
for the departure of the terrorist and of its obligation to act
against his partners in the crime. The immediate test for the
PA will be in vigorous action against Islamic Jihad members.
While the State of Israel is interested in advancing towards
a settlement with the Palestinians, there will be no diplomatic
progress, [there will be] no progress, until the Palestinians
take strong action to eliminate the terrorist organizations and
their infrastructures in the PA areas.
- Recently, the State of Israel has been showing restraint
in order to facilitate progress; however, it is clear that if
the Palestinians do not begin to take vigorous action against
terrorism, Israel will be compelled to
step up military activity that is designed to protect the lives
of Israeli citizens. I re-emphasize that there will be no diplomatic
progress as long as the Palestinians do not act in accordance
with their commitments and
eliminate the terrorist organizations. On behalf of the Government,
I send condolences to the families [of the victims] and best
wishes for a quick recovery to those who were wounded."
[www.imra.org.il]
- -----
- EHUD BARAK: SHARON HAS ALREADY LOST
- Ariel - Bush letter doesn't promise settlement blocs - Aaron
Lerner - 21 February 2005
- Speaking in a live interview on Israel Radio this morning
former prime minister (Labor) MK Ehud Barak warned that prime
minister Ariel Sharon has already given up on the Ariel settlement
bloc. Yesterday the cabinet voted on a security fence that did
not include Ariel within a continuous security fence.
- Barak explained that Prime Minister Sharon has misrepresented
the significance of the Bush letter as the letter does not actually
commit the United States to supporting Israel's claim to the
settlement blocs in final status talks.
- "If you had interviewed Rice about it during her visit
and asked her directly about the issue she would have denied
the commitment - or at best gracefully ducked the question,"
Barak said.
- Barak also slammed Sharon for not extending COS Moshe Yaalon's
term, warning that Sharon wants to surround himself with "yes
men". Barak noted that when he was COS he opposed Oslo but
that prime minister Rabin did not get rid of him.
- Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review
& Analysis) http://www.imra.org.il
- -----
- A NEW SYRIAN EDITION OF THE PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION
(2005)
The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center State of Israel
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for
Special Studies (C.S.S) - A new Syrian edition of The Protocols
of the Elders of Zion (2005) featured at the Cairo International
Book Fair and exhibited with other Syrian-published anti-Semitic
books. It combines Christian European and traditional Islamic
anti-Semitic myths with political propaganda encouraging Palestinian
terrorism and predicting the disappearance of the State of Israel.
The Syrian publishing house Dar Al-Awael notes in its foreword
that publication was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Information,
providing additional proof that the current Syrian regime is
infected with a vicious strain of anti-Semitism also marketed
to the Arab-Muslim world.
- Download PDF file (1.2mb) for report: www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/3_05/img/mar8_05.pdf
- -----
- AS SECOND WEEK ON JOB ENDS, MAHMOUD ABBA CONTINUES PEACEFUL
JIHAD
- On the night of his election two weeks ago, Abbas spoke of
peace while urging the Palestinians forward towards their "biggest
Jihad"-a term that commonly means "holy war" in
Arabic. As Abbas completes his second week in both shoes of Yasser
Arafat- both as President of the Palestinian Authority and chairman
of the PLO-he has already amassed a formidable repertoire of
mixed messages, among them: *---Calling for peace, while calling
Israel "the Zionist Enemy"; *--Declaring a need to
end "weapons anarchy," while he and his top aides openly
advocate attacking Israeli civilians and soldiers in "occupied
territory" as acts of legitimate "resistance";
*-- And urging an end to the "militarization of the Intifada"
while offering jobs to the most militant "militarists"
within the Palestinian community-the Islamic terrorists of HAMAS
and the "Martyrs Brigade" of his own Fatah organization.
"Our stance is very clear," asserted Ahmad Abdul-Rahman,
the Palestinian Cabinet secretary appearing on Palestinian state
television this week. "Any resistance has to be in Israeli-occupied
lands," said the dark-haired Abdul-Rahman who has been one
of the two or three closest advisors both to Abbas and Arafat.
- Read on http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_abba_continues_peaceful_jihad.html
- -----
PRESIDENT ABBAS SAYS FACTIONS AGREED ON TRUCE
- CAIRO, January 30, 2005 (IPC)--[Official PA website] President
Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday that the Palestinian factions have
agreed on a 'truce', a matter that needs a positive response
from the 'other party' (Israel). President Abbas, who was speaking
in an interview with the Al-Sharq Al-Awsat London-based Arab
Daily, was quoted as saying " we had no differences with
the factions, so dialogue is keeping on as smoothly and necessarily
as possible". Mr. President asserted that the conditions
set forth by the factions to accept a ceasefire with Israel were
not that hard, but there have been demands from their part and
that the Palestinians are awaiting a positive reaction from the
other party (Israel). As for his upcoming meeting with Israeli
PM, Ariel Sharon, President Abbas confirmed that the February
8 meeting's agenda will be focused on discussing ways to carry
out further moves".
- The President denied the meeting is intended to declare an
independent Palestinian state, saying such a state could be launched
by the end of final Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, based on
the road map peace blueprint, which includes 'many stages'. On
the other hand, Palestinian Foreign Minister, Nabil Sha'ath,
confirmed from Damascus that the Palestinian National Authority
(PNA) is due to reach a deal with Palestinain factions in Cairo,
regarding the ceasefire (truce) with Israel.
- President Mahmoud Abbas is in Cairo within his first regional
and international trip, after being elected in January 9, 2005
as president of the PNA, in succession of late President, Yasser
Arafat, who died in November 2004. http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=2274
- -----
- ON SYRIAN PARLIAMENT'S PUBLICISED MAP ISRAEL NON-EXISTENT
- Independent Media Review: 16 December, 2004 the day that
the Syrian Parliament's new website was
launched, it included a map of the region that labeled the area
within the Green Line as "Israel" and the area
of the West Bank in the map labeled "Palestine".
As of 27 December, 2004 the map has been changed with the Green
Line deleted and the entire area labeled "Palestine."
http://www.parliament.gov.sy/images/syr.jpg [www.imra.org.il]
- -----
- STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS ANTI-SEMITISM IS RISING
Associated Press, via Yahoo! News, Jan. 4, 2005 - Barry Schweid,
AP Diplomatic Writer WASHINGTON - A rise in the number of Muslims
in Western Europe, many of them poor and uneducated, is contributing
to an increase in already deeply rooted anti-Semitism there,
the State Department said in a report to Congress.
- However, far-right groups still account for a significant
proportion of attacks on Jews and Jewish property, the report
said.
- In eastern Europe, skinheads and other members of the radical
political fringe are responsible for most anti-Semitic incidents,
according to the report, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.
- In Russia, Belarus and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union,
anti-Semitism remained a serious problem, with most incidents
carried out by ultra-nationalists and other far-right elements.
- "The stereotype of Jews as manipulators of the global
economy continues to provide fertile grounds for anti-Semitic
aggression," said the report to the Senate and House foreign
relations committees.
- The report, which covered the period between July 2003 and
December 2004, gave no worldwide totals but did include statistics
provided by some countries... [ news.yahoo.com ]
- -----
- NGO MONITOR ANALYSIS - HUMAN RIGHTS NGOs - ARAB ISRAELI CONFLICT
- (Vol. 3 No. 2) 15 October 2004 - Ittijah Granted UN Special
Consultative Status - In July 2004, NGO Monitor analysed the
activities of the Haifa-based Ittijah, a highly politicized organization
that has received funding and support from sources, including
the Ford Foundation, the EU, and NGOs such as the New Israel
Fund and Christian Aid. Ittijah is also a member of the Palestinian
Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) that coordinates
political activities. Despite its background of incitement and
demonization of Israel, according to a 5 August 2004 press release,
Ittijah "has been recognized by the granting of Special
Consultative status by the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations (ECOSOC)." Ittijah claims to be "the
first Palestinian NGO within Israel to gain consultative status
with the UN."
- ECOSOC, according to its website, "is responsible for
promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic
and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic,
social and health problems; facilitating international cultural
and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms. ECOSOC's purview extends
to over 70 per cent of the human and financial resources of the
entire UN system."
- In analyzing this development, it is important to note that
Ittijah also played a prominent role in directing the anti-Israel
activities of Palestinian NGOs at the 2001 Durban conference
and has joined a number of Palestinian NGOs in rejecting anti-terror
clauses in funding agreements, specifically USAID and the Ford
Foundation.
- The UN has therefore further diminished its credibility by
granting Ittijah a wider podium from which to pursue its anti-Israel
agenda. NGO Monitor has documented the abuse of the UN system
by politicized NGOs under the guise of human rights and 'civil
society' within the context of the Palestinian-Israel conflict.
The granting of consultative status to Ittijah is further evidence
of this continuing abuse. Annotated version: http://www.ngo-monitor.org/editions/v3n02/v3n02-3.htm
- [Source: IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis www.imra.org.il
]
- -----
- SYRIA-EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT - SIGNING IN BRUSSELS
- SANA-Official Syrian News Agency - 19-10-2004 - A ceremony
on the occasion of signing in initials on the Association Agreement
between Syria Arab Republic and the European Union was held Tuesday
at Brussels-based EU Commission in presence of Syrian Foreign
Minister Farouk al-Shara and the EU Commissioner for External
Affairs Chris Paten. The Agreement was signed from the Syrian
side by Dr. Abdullah Dardari, Chairman of the State Planning
Board and from the European side by Mr. Christian Leffler, Director
General of the Middle East and the Mediterranean Department at
the European Commission. Messrs Shara and Leffler exchanged cordial
speeches on this occasion. Mr. Shara voiced pleasure over this
event and expressed high appreciation of the great efforts exerted
by the Syrian and European negotiators to reach this important
document which consists of 1,450 pages. Mr. Shara added that
the content of this Agreement reflects joint willingness for
cooperation between Syria and the EU in various fields, particularly
political, economic, cultural and security areas. He said the
historical and civilization framework in which our peoples flourished
between the two banks of the Mediterranean will be very helpful
to make this Association a success.
- The Foreign Minister said Syria has persistently worked to
see an active European vision in our region that helps finding
just solutions to the problems which we face, on top of which,
is ending Israel's occupation and stopping its continued aggression
as well as establishing peace for all peoples of the regions,
and opening prospects before them to live in dignity, freedom
and prosperity. Mr. Shara added that "the development and
terrorism can't meet". terrorism doesn't exist without reasons..
fighting this phenomena requires elimination of its reasons and
tackling its roots. Syria has recognized the dangers of this
phenomena since its earlier call for convening an international
conference on terrorism in 1986".
- Read on: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_syria_eu_association_agreement_signed.html
- -----
- ARMY EXPECTS RESTRAINT AFTER GAZA PULLOUT TEL AVIV
- [MENL] Received 12.4.2004 -- The Israeli military has prepared
for the prospect of a sharp reduction in combat operations in
the Gaza Strip amid plans to withdraw from the area in September
2005. Senior commanders said the General Staff has assessed that
the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon would restrain
the military from any major operation in the Gaza Strip during
and after the pullout and evacuation of Israelis. The commanders
said the military brass was planning a defensive posture similar
to that adopted along Israel's border with Lebanon. "Even
after disengagement, we will be able to enter Gaza anytime we
like," a senior commander said. "But who will let us
do that?" As a result, the General Staff has drafted a combat
doctrine meant to reduce Palestinian infiltration along the Israeli-Gaza
border without the need for actual engagement. The commanders
said the doctrine would be based on the deployment of unmanned
platforms to monitor the 50-kilometer border. This service contains
only a small portion of the information produced daily by Middle
East Newsline. For a subscription to the full service, please
contact Middle East Newsline at: editor@menewsline.com for further
details IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis Website:
www.imra.org.il
- -----
- MK EHUD YATOM EGYPT DECLINES TO FIGHT TERROR
- Aaron Lerner - 10 October 2004 - Speaking in a live interview
broadcast on Israel Radio's 11:00 PM news hour magazine Likud
MK Ehud Yatom charged Egypt with declining to fight terror. Yatom
held a rank in the ISS (Shabak) equal to major general. Yatom
charged that while Egypt's security services have been quite
successful in their battle against the Moslem Brotherhood and
other elements that threaten Egypt that these same services decline
to make a serious effort against terror operations aimed against
Israel.
- Yatom noted that the overwhelming majority of the flow of
weapons and terrorists into the Gaza Strip is via Egypt. Yatom
repeated his warning that Israel would face dire consequences
if it relinquished control of the Philadelphi Corridor between
Gaza and Egypt. Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent
Media Review & Analysis) (Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava) Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax
972-3-7255730 imra@netvision.net.il [ http://www.imra.org.il
]
- -----
- NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER EILAND: EGYPT NOT SERIOUS ABOUT
SECURITY SITUATION - Aaron Lerner - 11 October 2004 - National
Security Adviser Giora Eiland told Israel Radio in a live interview
broadcast this morning during the 7:00-8:00 AM news magazine
that Egypt allows "excessively easy access" to the
Egyptian border with Israel for both criminal and hostile elements.
Eiland observed that it is a common experience around that world
that criminal and hostile activities interweave.
- Eiland also said that Egypt is not doing enough about the
weapons, explosives and ammunition that is in Sinai - noting
that much of it finds its way to the Gaza Strip. Eiland noted
that until now Egypt hasn't taken the situation seriously and
expressed the hope that this would change in the wake of the
terrorist attacks in Sinai. [ http://www.imra.org.il ]
- -----
- DO NOT SIGN THE WALLERSTEIN PROCLAMATION
December 27, 2004 - by Barry Chamish - A few days ago I signed
the Wallerstein Proclamation which commits foreigners to coming
to Israel to participate in non-violent protest against the withdrawal
from Gush Katif. There were fewer than 500 signatories and I
thought I'd try to beef up the numbers a bit, despite being Israeli.
http://www.petitiononline.com/eretzyis/
Tonight I joined a group of people to hear Pinchas Wallerstein,
head of the Binyamin Regional Council, in Talmon. One of the
topics of discussion on the way was why the proclamation wasn't
in Hebrew. Why was Wallerstein aiming only at outside support?
By the time the meeting was over, I knew why.
For the past
few years, I've been receiving information about the heads of
councils in Yesha. The following is not atypical:
Shalom Mr. Chamish,
I've been living for nearly 10 yrs. in Itamar and some very strange
things have been going on since Benzi Lieberman was elected.
In the elections before his first term there was a suspicious
incident with one of the ballot boxes 'disappearing'. Since the
wave of terror in Itamar after the assassination of Gilad Zar,
the regional council has cut the number of hours for Ambulatory
help in the Gav-Hahar region (Bracha, Elon more, Itamar, Yitzhar)
- no Ambulance is available on Shabbat and in the evenings; the
ambulance in Itamar was removed under the pretext that there's
nobody in Itamar who is a qualified paramedic. And last but not
least just when the security officer Shlomo Miller was assassinated
he was involved in a great dispute with the councill concerning
the money which the Ministry of Security transferred to install
electronic security equipment in Itamar and which the council
is refusing to hand over to the Yishuv.
This is only the tip of an iceberg and should be invested.
It should be noted that the same Benzi Lieberman publicly
supported the Wallerstein petition.
One person who made a very open complaint against Wallerstein
was Moshe Feiglin. In Chapter 5 of his book, Where There Are
No Men, Feiglin revealed that after every act of protest by his
Zo Artzeinu movement, Wallerstein, then Yesha Council head, would
inform government officials that he denounced the protesters.
Which is precisely what he did this evening in Talmon. He denounced
soldiers who would refuse orders to evacuate Jews from their
homes, declaring that, "It's futile anyway. All regular
army soldiers are in favor of the evacuation anyway." A
patently false claim. It came his revolutionary program: a protest
vigil outside the Knesset. Read on: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_do_not_sign_the_wallerstein_proclamation.html
- -----
- EU TO HELP ISRAEL IN UN
- EU to help Israel in UN, Dutch envoy says Tovah Lazaroff,
THE JERUSALEM POST Dec. 23, 2004
- Calling the number of anti-Israel resolutions in the UN "ridiculous,"
Netherlands Ambassador Bob Heinsch told reporters on Wednesday
the EU was committed to reducing those numbers.
- "We all agree that it is ridiculous that we have 19
to 20 resolutions every year, it is a ritual and we should get
rid of that," he said at a Tel Aviv press conference to
promote the new European Neighborhood Agreement approved between
Israel and the EU on December 13.
- It offers Israel many of the same rights afforded states
within the European Union. The plan opens Europe's economic,
cultural and scientific doors to Israel in exchange for an enhanced
EU involvement in the Middle East diplomatic process. Within
the context of the plan the EU also promises to combat anti-Semitism
and to help Israel normalize its relations with international
organizations including the UN.
- Hiensch, whose country now holds the EU presidency, said
that the EU is so serious about combatting anti-Semitism that
it would be committed to that battle even if there were no action
plan.
- "We condemn it on our own," he said.
- The three-year process set out in the Neighborhood Agreement
brings Europe and Israel closer, said Hiensch, but is separate
from the question of membership in the EU. Nor does it preclude
it, he added.
- "Israel has not applied for membership," said Hiensch.
- If it were to do so, an EU aide explained, it would have
to agree to take on all the rules of its institutions, including
freedom of movement, which allows Europeans of all religions
to settle in EU member states in a way that would run counter
to Israel's Law of Return, which grants special status to Jews.
- The Neighborhood Agreement with Israel as well as a similar
document agreed on between the EU and the Palestinian Authority
reflects Europe's desire to play a larger role in the Middle
East, said Hiensch. "I expect the EU's role [in the Middle
East] to increase," he continued. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=110377
6318226&p=1078027574097
- -----
- NETANYAHU, LIVNAT, KATZ, NAVEH ULTIMATUM:
- IMRA by Aaron Lerner 26 October 2004 - Netanyahu, Livnat,
Katz, Naveh ultimatum: referendum or quit in 2 weeks. In a live
interview broadcast in Israel Television this evening, Finance
Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced that he, along with ministers
Livnat, Katz and Naveh will resign if Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
does not agree to a national referendum within the next two weeks.
"We are giving a chance to the prime minister of two weeks
and if not then we cannot continue in this Government."
- The NRP has also given an ultimatum that they will leave
the coalition if Sharon doesn't agree to a referendum within
two weeks. [ http://www.imra.org.il ]
- MK STEINMITZ JOINS ULTIMATUM:
- Steinitz joins ultimatum: referendum or will vote against
Sharon in 2 weeks Aaron Lerner Date: 26 October 2004 - NFC reports
that MK Dr. Yuval Steinitz Chairman, Knesset Foreign Affairs
and Defense Committee announced this evening that unless Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon agrees to a national referendum within
two weeks he will vote against the government in Knesset votes.
- In a live interview broadcast in Israel Television this evening,
Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced that he, along
with ministers Livnat, Katz and Naveh will resign if Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon does not agree to a national referendum within the
next two weeks. "We are giving a chance to the prime minister
of two weeks and if not then we cannot continue in this Government."
- Foreign Minister Shalom apparently has decided not to risk
his seat.
- The NRP has also given an ultimatum that they will leave
the coalition if Sharon doesn't agree to a referendum within
two weeks. It should be noted that if Prime Minister Sharon opts
to agree to a national referendum that it appears that only a
simple majority is being required by those demanding a referendum:
something Sharon's team can claim as a major victory. http://www.imra.org.il
- [ www.nfc.co.il/fader/showOne.asp?id=32215 for Hebrew item
]
- -----
- LETTER BY "PROMINENT AMERICAN JEWISH LEADERS" INITIATED
BY LABOR PARTY EXTENSION TO CONDOLEEZA RICE
- IMRA: The letter was [signed individually] initiated by the
Israel Policy Forum. While the group's website explains that
"Israel Policy Forum is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization
with a singular
purpose: to support active and sustained American efforts aimed
at resolving the conflict
between Israel and its Arab neighbors" it is known for its
close ties to the Israel Labor
Party. The term "support active and sustained American efforts"
means "support American
pressure on Israel". During the glory days of Oslo, the
Israel Policy Forum was long on praise
and close to nonexistent in sober concern or interest in Palestinian
compliance.]
- November 22, 2004 The Honorable Dr. Condoleezza Rice National
Security Advisor The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500
- Dear Dr. Rice: Congratulations on your nomination by President
Bush to become our country's
Secretary of State. As leaders in Jewish communities and organizations
across the United
States, we are heartened by the strong ties you have nurtured
between our country and the State
of Israel over the past four years. And we are delighted because
we know you will remain true
to the President's vision, to which he recommitted himself on
November 12, of a "peaceful
resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict based on two democratic
states - Israel and Palestine -
living side-by-side in peace and security." IMRA
- Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: www.imra.org.il
- Read: http://www.cephas-library.com/israel/israel_letter_by_prominent_american_jewish_leaders.html
- -----
- ZOA TO KNESSET MEMBERS: DON'T BE MISLED BY FALSE CLAIMS THAT
U.S. WILL STOP SUPPORTING ISRAEL IF GAZA RETREAT PLAN IS DEFEATED
- NEW YORK- October 21, 2004 In an appeal to Israeli Knesset
Members in advance of next week's vote on the Gaza retreat plan,
the Zionist Organization of America has reminded them that there
is no evidence the United States will stop supporting Israel
if the Gaza retreat plan is rejected.
- ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said:
- "As an organization that is active on Capitol Hill and
has close relationships with numerous members of the administration
and Congress, it is our duty to provide you with the most accurate
and up-to-date information on how U.S.-Israel relations could
be affected by the Gaza retreat plan.
- "Some supporters of unilateral retreat have attempted
to frighten the Israeli public by claiming that the United States
will abandon Israel if it fails to retreat from Gaza. There is
no evidence that any such thing will happen. Your final decision
on this issue dare not be based on misinformation.
- "President Bush, the Congress, and the overwhelming
majority of Americans - according to all polls - strongly support
Israel, even when there is occasional disagreement about a specific
policy. Some prominent members of the House and Senate have even
said privately that they cannot understand how Israel could make
major concessions to the enemy in the midst of a terrorist war.
The Knesset does not need to endorse unilateral retreat from
Gaza and transfer of its 8,300 Jewish residents in order to maintain
American support."
- The ZOA pointed out that according to a new poll, only 15%
of Israelis believe that the United States will "greatly
reduce" its support for Israel if the retreat plan is not
implemented.
- The ZOA-commissioned poll was taken on October 18 and 19,
2004 by Israel's leading pollster, Hanoch Smith of the Smith
Research Institute, and questioned a scientific sample of 500
Israeli Jewish adults.
- The Zionist Organization of America, founded in 1897, is
the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. The
ZOA works to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations, educates the American
public and Congress about the dangers that Israel faces, and
combats anti-Israel bias in the media and on college campuses.
Its past presidents have included Supreme Court Justice Louis
Brandeis and Rabbi Dr. Abba Hillel Silver.
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: www.imra.org.il
-
|