The National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) applauds the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority for the redeployment of Israeli troops from Hebron. This pact, which includes a "road map" for further actions on both sides, is an important step toward the fall implementation of the Interim Agreement.

We congratulate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yassir Arafat for not allowing those who would destroy the Middle East peace process to dissuade them from reaching an agreement. We also express our gratitude to the Clinton Administration and Jordan's King Hussein for the pivotal role they played in getting the parties to reach agreement.

The organized American Jewish community strongly supports the ongoing peace process, from Camp David, through Madrid, to -- most recently -- Oslo. While it is up to the government of Israel and its partners in the peace process to reach agreements through face-to-face bilateral negotiations, the strong U.S.-Israel relationship enables the United States to play a, vital role in helping to facilitate that process. This has served the interests of Israel and its partners as they seek to make progress in the negotiations. We urge the 105th Congress to renew the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act which enables the U.S. to assist Israel and the Palestinians in their negotiations, and to support the Administration's foreign aid proposals for Israel and its peace partners.

We reaffirm our support for Israel's commitment to maintain Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of Israel under Israeli sovereignty. We urge the Administration to implement fully the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act of 1995, which calls for the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem no later than May 1999.

Our support for Israel's security is a sine qua non of any discussion of the evolving peace process. There can be no peace agreement without adequate security guarantees for Israel. Chairman Arafat and other officials of the Palestinian Authority over time have improved their record of compliance with the Oslo Accords, but they must scrupulously carry out all their obligations to fight terrorism and refrain from making statements hostile to Israel. The use of violence or threats of violence that have surfaced in recent months have no place in the negotiating process. The Palestinians also should implement their commitment to complete the process of revising the Palestinian National Charter.

We also are profoundly disturbed by the Syrian Government's continued acceptance of terrorist operations and the sheltering of terrorist and rejectionist groups. Syria must put an end to activities that threaten the fabric of the peace process, and must agree to renew negotiations with Israel.

We encourage Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, and Qatar to continue developing economic and diplomatic relations with Israel, and urge the rest of the Arab world to join in this important process. I

As the 50th Anniversary of the State of Israel approaches -- an occasion of great celebration for the entire Jewish people -- we pledge our unshakable support for the security and well-being of Israel and the search for peace.

- end -

Return to top of this page