 Voicing our Support for Israel |
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A message from the Executive Director In the midst of violent clashes in Israel and the collapse of the peace process, legislation relating to the crisis has come before Congress. It is crucial at this critical time that we as Jews and members of Women's American ORT express our unwavering support for Israel.
A resolution declaring support for Israel passed in the House in October, and a letter to President Clinton expressing similar sentiments was signed by 96 senators. The House has also voted by an overwhelming margin in support of a bill opposing a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood. A similar bill in the Senate, the Peace through Negotiations Act of 2000 (S.3250), initiated by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), provides for a U.S. response in the event of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood. The legislation, which now has 54 cosponsors, prohibits diplomatic recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian statek, eliminates all aid to the Palestinians, excluding humanitarian and counter-terrorism assistance, and renders illegal the establishment of a Palestinian office in the U.S. In a second initiative, President Clinton has officially asked Congress for $450 million in emergency aid for Israel to help pay for the withdrawal from Lebanon last May (Israel incurred costs of $950 million) and for countering long-range security threats from Iran and Iraq. Alice Herman, Executive Director |
