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December 3, 2001 Volume 3, No. 38 This Week in WASHINGTON For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative, at rprice@thejcpa.org Few Legislative Days Remain: Congress still has a great deal of work to do as Christmas looms on the horizon as an unofficial deadline for completion of work for the year. Five of the thirteen appropriations bills still must be completed before the legislators adjourn including the spending bills for Defense; the District of Columbia; Labor, HHS, Education; Foreign Operations and Transportation. In addition to the "must do" spending bills, legislators had hoped to finish several other initiatives which were priorities to both the Administration, Congress and the JCPA over the past year. Hope still remains that the House and Senate Conferees trying to iron out differences between the two versions of the Education bill will finish their work and have a final bill to present to the President before the end of the year. However, negotiators are currently stalled over the proposal to make federal aid for special education a mandatory spending item. It is also still anticipated that Senators Santorum (R-PA) and Lieberman (D-CT) will introduce a new Faith Based bill sometime this week. Although the current drafts of the legislation do not include the traditional charitable choice provisions as we have seen in the past, JCPA national member agencies are still reviewing the first amendment provisions carefully. The draft bill does include important provisions such as charitable giving incentives including the IRA rollover provision, non-itemizer deduction, and an additional $250 million over ten years for the Social Services Block grant. The bill also makes it easier for certain organizations to receive 501(c)3 status. Elsewhere on Capitol Hill: Legislators will continue to study the country’s needs in the fight against Terrorism. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator Lieberman, (D-CT) will hold a hearing on the role communities play in homeland security, and the House Government Reform Committee chaired by Rep. Burton (R-IN) will hold a hearing on the current Justice Department policy of not providing Congress with documents pertaining to criminal investigations or prosecutions. The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue to hold hearings this week on the Administration’s policies regarding the detention and trial of individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities, culminating in the appearance of Attorney General Ashcroft before the Committee on Thursday. The House Judiciary Committee will be discussing election reform later this week. They will examine a compromise bill introduced by Congressmen Ney (R-OH) and Hoyer (D-MD) which many election reform advocates fear might fall short in its current form. The bill does not ensure that every American who is eligible to vote can do so or that his or her vote is counted. In particular the bill does not adequately protect voters with disabilities. JCPA passed a resolution last winter spelling out needed provisions for such legislation. Legislators Speak Out on Convening Parties to Fourth Geneva Convention: Senators Smith (R-OR), Schumer (D-NY) and several of their colleagues including Senators Santorum, Allen, Feinstein, Mikulski and Clinton plan to send a letter to the Foreign Minister of Switzerland later today urging the Swiss to consider all options and avoid convening the high contracting parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention this week. (See JCPA Memorandum of November 29, 2001) Representative Waxman (D-CA) has initiated a similar letter in the House of Representatives to be sent to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. As of this writing he has been joined by Representatives Hastings, Sherman, Schakowsky, Deutsch, Nadler, Ros-Lehtinen and Weiner.
For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh,
Director of Community Relations and Special Projects at bga@thejcpa.org Crisis in Israel: JCPA and UJC held a joint conference call earlier today with Rabbi Michael Melchior, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, who described the situation in Israel. Embedded below please find JCPA's statement, President Bush's statement, and Prime Minister Sharon's statement on the crisis. There will also be a UJC-sponsored conference call tomorrow, December 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the leadership of UJC's solidarity mission that arrived in Israel today. The JCPA system is invited to call in at the following numbers: From the
U.S. 800-680-9685 The password will be "Mission Update" Plenum 2002 is Coming: Only 74 days until the Plenum, which will take place from Saturday evening February 16, through Tuesday afternoon, February 19. Program information can be obtained from the JCPA website at www.jewishpublicaffairs.org or by calling JCPA at 212 684-6950. Register today!
For Immediate Release December 3, 2001
Contact: Adam Segal, (202) 547-3577 JCPA SUPPORTS ISRAEL'S RIGHT OF SELF DEFENSE AGAINST TERROR USING ALL MEANS NECESSARY
NEW YORK - The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) today released the following statement in response to the terror attacks and murder of Israelis:
"The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless murder of at least 25 innocent Israelis, including many children and teenagers, during weekend attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa. We express our condolences to the families of those brutally killed in these atrocities and our wishes for a full recovery to the injured. We also join President Bush who, on behalf of the American people, expressed his sorrow and asked God to bless those who were killed Saturday night and Sunday morning.
The JCPA supports Israel's right of self defense against terrorism with all means necessary. The defense of one's citizens is the first responsibility of any government. The time for waiting for Yasser Arafat to confront the terrorist groups operating in areas under Palestinian Authority control, particularly Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and to put an end to suicide attacks and anti-Israel incitement, has run out.
For eight years, since the 1993 signing of the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on the White House lawn, Israel, the United States and the American Jewish community all have urged Arafat to crack down on terrorism and join Israel in peace as required under the agreement. After hundreds of terrorist attacks, Arafat continues to violate his obligations under the Oslo Accords, which have been incorporated into numerous subsequent documents, most recently the Tenet cease-fire agreement.
It is now up to Israel to find the response that will prevent such barbaric attacks from occurring in the future. There is no simple way to pursue terrorists and those who harbor them. The JCPA will stand behind the Israeli government at it seeks to develop the most effective strategy for defending its citizens.
JCPA expresses its deep appreciation to President George Bush and senior administration officials for showing strong and unyielding support for Israel following these terrorist attacks and the Israeli government's initial response. The President's unequivocal call on Arafat to confront terror groups and end these attacks is reminiscent of the actions he has taken in Afghanistan. America and Israel stand united in the fight against global terrorism, which seeks to undermine democracy, freedom, and a commitment to seek genuine peace."
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JCPA, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 123 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release December 2, 2001 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT UPON RETURN FROM CAMP DAVID The South Grounds 11:26 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: In a couple of minutes I’ll have the honor of receiving the Prime Minister from Israel. We obviously changed our schedule because of the horrific acts of murder that took place in his land. I will tell him that I strongly condemn the acts of murder that killed innocent people in Israel. I will tell him our nation grieves for those whose lives have been affected by the murderers. This is a moment where the advocates for peace in the Middle East must rise up and fight terror. Chairman Arafat must do everything in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring them to justice. Clearly, there are some in the world who do not want us to achieve peace in the Middle East. Clearly, there are some that, every chance they have, they will use violence and terror to disrupt any progress that’s being made. We must not allow them to succeed. We must not allow terror to destroy the chance of peace in the Middle East. Now is the time for leaders throughout the world who urge there to be a peace to do something about the terror that prevents peace from happening in the first place. May God bless the Israeli citizens who lost their lives, and their families. Thank you.
The following is the entire transcript of Sharon's address that occurred at 12:30 pm east coast time (JPOST) :
"Citizens of Israel,
"Firstly, on my behalf and on behalf of the Government of Israel, I wish to send my condolences to the families of those murdered, and wish a speedy recovery to the many wounded who remain hospitalized around the country.
"I returned today from the United States after a conversation with President George Bush. The President asked me to convey to the people of Israel his deep sorrow and sincere condolences. The President told me that the United States is a true friend and partner of the State of Israel. In times of peace, just as today in our fight against terror, the United States and Israel stand together!
"Citizens of Israel,
"We have fought many wars - and we have won them all. We have defeated our enemies - and we have made peace. We have held the sword - and made the wilderness and desert bloom. We have built cities, developed industry and cultivated agriculture - we have transformed the State of Israel into an example and symbol for many other countries in the world.
"We continue this enterprise every day, we will not cease - never!
"A war has been forced upon us. A war of terror. A war that claims innocent victims daily. A war of terror being conducted systematically, in an organized fashion and with methodical direction.
"If you ask what the aim of this war is - I will tell you. The aim of this war of terror, the aim of the terrorists, their aids and dispatchers, the aim of those who enable them to perpetrate their acts quietly without disturbance, is to expel us from here. Their aim is to bring us to total despair, a loss of hope, and a loss of the national vision which leads us - 'A free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.'
"Citizens of Israel - this will not happen!
"There is no nation in the world that would have demonstrated such maturity and stamina, I am proud to be part of this nation. I am aware of the fact we also face difficulties in other spheres of our lives; here too, we demonstrate our integrity and strength.
"They have already understood that they will not succeed. They have already understood that our nation is stronger and that our spirit of resistance is firmer than they ever could have imagined. Therefore, they continue to slaughter children, youth, men and women, citizens of Israel and other nations - human beings - just for the sake of killing, just to murder.
"I tell you from here, from Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the State of Israel - united Jerusalem. I tell you this, you and all those listening today around the whole world the blood of those who will rise up to kill us will be on their hands.
"Just as the United States is conducting its war against international terror, using all its might against terror, so will we too. With all the strength, determination and resources we have used until today, and with resources at our disposal.
"Do not believe false prophecies and do not be misled by promises of immediate results. This struggle is not an easy one, this struggle will not be short. But we will be victorious.
"Israel does not start wars. This war of terror, as in the past, has been forced upon us. We know who has forced it upon us. We know who is guilty. We know who is responsible.
"Arafat is responsible for everything that happens here. Arafat has made his strategic choices: a strategy of terrorism, in choosing to try and win political accomplishments through murder and in choosing to allow the ruthless killing of innocent civilians, Arafat has chosen the path of terrorism.
"For a long time the world has not seen Arafat for what he is, but recently there has been a significant shift. There are signs of greater understanding for our position - everyone is discovering the real Arafat.
"Arafat is the greatest obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East. We have seen this in the past, are seeing it in the present, and will unfortunately probably continue to see this in the future. But, Arafat will not fool this government. This time, Arafat will not succeed in fooling us.
"The Palestinian people must know: They are the primary victims of the current situation brought about by Arafat.
"I tell you now: we will pursue those responsible, the perpetrators of terrorism and the supporters. We will pursue them until we catch them, and they will pay the price.
"Today, immediately upon my return, I convened an emergency meeting with all the heads of security establishment. In a few minutes, the government will assemble for a special meeting, and will make decisions on the expansion of the treatment of terrorism.
"This is not the place to discuss these avenues. I am certain that the decisions we must take today require a special assemblage of the entire government.
"The government I head is a national unity government. We are now in a time of emergency, and in such times a national unity government, a government which represents the entire public in Israel, is of supreme importance.
"United we will face all the challenges before us."
_______________________________ Jewish Council
for Public Affairs 212-684-6950 212-686-1353 fax
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Jewish Council
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JCPA
Washington Representative
1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036-3278 202-293-1649 202-293-2154 fax rprice@thejcpa.org |
