Date: February 4, 1999
To: Synagogue Leadership
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman IPA
Betty Ehrenberg, Director,
International Affairs and Communal Relations
Re: Legislation Opposing a Palestinian State
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
A broad coalition of members of Congress, including Republicans and Democrats and members of both the House and the Senate, introduced legislation today which expresses the opposition of the House of Representatives and the Senate to a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. The Senate resolution will be introduced by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and in the House by Representatives Matt Salmon (R-AZ) and Elliott Engel (D-NY).
These resolutions are meant to prevent the inevitable dangers that would be caused by a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood after May 4, 1999. Such a declaration puts at risk the entire negotiating process that was agreed upon in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
This broad Congressional support makes the possibility of passage very likely. These crucial bipartisan resolutions are being introduced this week in reaction to any continued threats by Chairman Arafat to take this unilateral action. This week, Yassir Arafat meets with President Clinton to discuss, among other things, delaying the unilateral declaration of the Palestinian state. It remains to be seen whether or not Arafat will be a man of his word. Time and time again, Arafat has been breaking his promises and violating the terms of both the Oslo Accords and the Wye Memorandum.
We urge all our members to call your Congressional representatives TODAY at 202-224-3121.
Please ask for the office of your Senator or Representative.
Ask them to call the sponsors mentioned above in order to co-sponsor these crucial resolutions.
Kindly call Betty Ehrenberg at the OU (212-613-8124) with your feedback.
TALKING POINTS
1. A unilateral declaration by the Palestinians is a fundamental violation of the agreements that have been signed. Arafat’s first letter to Prime Minister Rabin said that “all outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved through negotiations.” Indeed, this is the central tenet of the entire peace process.
2. A unilateral declaration of statehood would dramatically destabilize the peace process and lead to violence in the Middle East.
3. Key points in the House resolution are as follows:
A. The final political status of the Palestinian entity can only be determined through bilateral negotiations and agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
B. Any attempt to establish Palestinian statehood outside the negotiating process will invoke the strongest congressional opposition.
C. The President should unequivocally assert United States opposition to the unilateral declaration of the Palestinian state, making clear that such a declaration would be grievous violation of the Oslo Accords and would not be recognized by the United States.
Given the continual violation of the Oslo Accords and the Wye Memorandum on the part of the Palestinians, the United States government must send a clear message to the PLO that a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state is unacceptable, violates the Oslo Accords, and poses the risk of violence within the region.
Since Mr. Arafat has as yet failed to end all PLO sponsored incitement of violence and vilification of Jews, has failed to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure that operates within his jurisdiction, and has failed to reduce the size of his police/military force which currently violates both the Oslo and Wye agreements, it is imperative to ensure that any future Palestinian entity will not constitute a source of threat and instability to an entire region that is in the vital interest of the United States.
Call today: (202)224-3121 and urge your representatives to support these resolutions opposing a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.
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