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November 11, 2003
Orthodox Union
Applauds Senate Passage of Syria Accountability Act
The Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish synagogue
organization, applauded today’s passage of the Syria Accountability Act by
the U.S. Senate by a vote of 89 – 4. This important step in the war
against terrorism, introduced by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), makes clear to the regime in Damascus that it must take
steps to cease and desist from its support of terrorism or suffer
sanctions.
Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs, declared,
“Today’s passage in the Senate of the Syria Accountability Act marks a
milestone in the war against state-sponsored terrorism. Syria has long
been on the State Department list of state sponsors of terrorism for
support of many terrorist groups headquartered in Damascus, such as
Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. With a green light from Syria,
Hezbollah has conducted numerous cross-border terrorist attacks against
Israel which have claimed the lives of many innocent Israelis. The fact
that Syria has occupied Lebanon for more than 25 years, using it as a
springboard for international terrorism, can no longer be tolerated with
impunity.
“The Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003
calls on Syria to stop supporting terrorism, remove its troops from
Lebanon, and to cease its development of weapons of mass destruction and
the methods with which to deliver them. The passage of the Syria
Accountability Act will help to put an end to economic and international
cooperation with Syria and will be an important tool in making Syria
accountable for the responsibility she bears for the terrorism wreaking
havoc across the globe.
“The Orthodox Union again praises the Senate and Senators Boxer and
Santorum for helping to send a clear message to the Syrian government that
it must no longer support terrorism or else suffer the consequences. We
thank the Senate for this measure that strengthens America’s resolve in
the fight against global terrorism and that will help bring stability not
only to the Middle East but to the whole world.”
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The Institute for Public
Affairs is the non-partisan public policy research and advocacy arm of the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest
Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization founded in 1898.
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