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August 30, 2005
Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Welcomes
Pres. Bush’s Recognition that
Palestinians are Responsible
for Next Steps in
Mideast
Today, the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, through its
Institute for Public Affairs, welcomed statements made by
President Bush in his weekly national radio address recognizing
that in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations in the
Mideast, the onus is upon the Palestinians to take the next
critical steps.
After acknowledging that “Prime Minister Sharon and the Israeli
people took a courageous and painful step by removing Israeli
settlements in Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank” the
President stated: “Now that Israel has withdrawn, the way
forward is clear. The Palestinians must show the world that they
will fight terrorism and govern in a peaceful way.” President
Bush further stated that the United States “remain[s] fully
committed to defending the security and well-being of our friend
and ally Israel [and] demand[s] an end to terrorism and violence
in every form because we know that progress depends on ending
terror.”
Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Union, stated:
We welcome and appreciate President Bush’s recognition of
Israel’s pain and sacrifice in undertaking to unilaterally
withdraw from Gaza. We further appreciate the President’s
recognition that this dramatic step by Israel must be met by the
Palestinians with dramatic and decisive action before any
further actions are to be undertaken by Israel. In the case of
the Palestinians, a true and sustained effort to confront and
dismantle the terrorist infrastructure within their midst is
that essential, and unfortunately unprecedented, next step. No
nation nor international organization has grounds to ask Israel
for any additional steps until the Palestinians demonstrate
actions in kind. Israel has more than demonstrated her capacity
and willingness to act decisively. Israel and all her friends
and supporters await a similar demonstration by the Palestinian
community.
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