October 23, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 32

This Week in WASHINGTON

For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative, at rprice@thejcpa.org

Capitol Hill Fights Terrorism: Legislators are combating terrorism in both a personal and legislative capacity this week, with several Congressional office buildings still closed. Although efforts have been made to continue to find alternative settings for hearings and briefings, many are being cancelled or postponed. Rep. Chris Shays (CT), who as House Government Oversight Committee Subcommittee chair with jurisdiction over National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations had been scheduled to hear from Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services on Bioterrorism Vaccines, had to scramble to pull off the meeting. In addition, a Senate review of suspects on the FBI’s most wanted terrorist list chaired by Sen. Feinstein (CA) in the Technology, Terrorism and Government Information Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee was also postponed. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House International Relations Committee are both currently still scheduled to hear from Secretary of State Colin Powell later in the week in makeshift hearing rooms. House and Senate versions of the anti-terrorism legislation may be reconciled as early as today.

This Week in NEW YORK

What An Agenda: More than 100 JCPA leaders gathered in New York on Sunday and Monday for Task Force and Board of Directors meetings. At the Board meeting, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk provided a sobering overview of the current situation in the Middle East, and of possible implications the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign might have on the peace process. The American Jewish community, he said, should indicate to the administration that its involvement in the peace process is much needed. Indyk also clarified that the Jewish community's fear of linkage between U.S. support for Israel and the September 11th terrorist attacks is misplaced, since bin Laden had never before made the Palestinian cause the focus of his efforts. Americans know that bin Laden's goals are to replace moderate Arab regimes and to protest infidel presence on lands sacred to Islam. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) praised the Bush administration for its leadership during this crisis. He stressed that, just as in World War II when the U.S. and Russia allied to oppose the Nazis, the War on Terrorism requires the U.S. to make alliances with those we might ordinarily oppose. He predicted that sophisticated computer analysis of data gathered by law enforcement and intelligence agencies would yield better information about the activities of terrorists. Task Forces Explore War on Terrorism: A joint meeting of all three JCPA Task Forces focused on the War on Terrorism and its implications for the Jewish community relations field. Participants learned from ADL Assistant National Director Ken Jacobson how US foreign policy is evolving in the wake of the September 11^th attacks and the implications of the American response for US-Israel relations. Chicago JCRC Director Jay Tcath informed the task force members of the possible implications of the September 11th attacks for the Jewish community relations field, and suggested future responses and actions. Former FBI counterterrorism agent James Tomlinson detailed the legislative needs of law enforcement to combat terrorism. ADL Legal Affairs Director Steven Freeman discussed the anti-terrorism legislation which, among other things, would permit law enforcement to tap any phone used by a suspect covered under a warrant, gain easier access to electronic communications, and track and restrict the financial transactions of terrorist organizations. The intergroup relations challenges the Jewish community will face in the coming year, especially with regard to relations with Arab and Muslim Americans and the implications for our work in broader coalitions, were addressed by Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Burt Siegel, Executive Director, JCRC of Greater Philadelphia; and Andi Milens, JCRC Director Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland. A summary of these meetings will be distributed shortly. This Week in Jerusalem: Immediately following the JCPA Board meeting, a Leadership Mission departed for Israel. A primary issue for discussion in Israel is President Bush's demand that Israeli troops withdraw from Palestinian-controlled territories. The Israeli leadership maintains that it has an obligation to defend its citizens, and is trying to avoid actions which might undermine the U.S.- led anti-terrorism effort. The U. S. and Israel have a shared strategic objective to fight international terrorism until victory. The Israeli government asserts that there must be sustained international pressure on Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to restrain terrorists operating in territories under PA control. JCPA leaders report that Israelis identify deeply with the pain and suffering Americans are experiencing in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Prime Minister Sharon will visit Ground Zero in New York City as part of an upcoming mission of solidarity. He will be escorted by Mayor Giuliani, and will also address the UJC General Assembly in Washington, D.C.

Mark Your Calendar: Please join us this Friday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m. eastern time for a special briefing from Israel by participants in JCPA's Leadership Mission to Israel. JCPA Chair Len Cole and others will report on their meetings with Israeli government officials, academics and others, and will offer an assessment of the current climate in Israel. A brief question and answer period will follow. The call in information is below.

Plenum Update: Handsome Plenum 2002 brochures will be arriving in offices and households across America shortly. Mark your calendars: February 16-19 at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel. Our 3-day program (please note: we’ve shortened the Plenum by a day!) will special concentrations on advocacy, the domestic agenda and homeland security in light of the tragic events of September 11. Already confirmed: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Natan Sharansky and Mort Zuckerman. Watch this space for weekly updates.

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