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JEWISH COUNCIL FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS
URGES CONGRESS TO ADD MONEY FOR WYE NOW

Israeli Security Feared At Risk If Foreign Aid Package Excludes Wye

October 19, 1999 -- New York - At its quarterly board of directors meeting yesterday, Jewish Council for Public Affairs Chair, Steven Schwarz, strongly urged Jewish leaders and activists to contact Congressional leaders immediately in support of adding the much needed Wye funds to the foreign aid package.

The foreign operations appropriations bill was vetoed by President Clinton yesterday due to inadequate funds which would have secured America's international and national interests as well as protect American foreign policy initiatives abroad. The vetoed foreign aid package failed to include the $500 million earmarked for the Israel and Palestinian implementation of the Wye River Accord.

Schwarz told the group to call their members of Congress and ardently express the urgent need for the Wye aid to be included this fall, before Congress adjourns. He further explained that Israel, as specified in the agreement, has already begun to withdraw from additional territories, relocate military bases and redeploy troops from 9% of the West Bank. He said that all these efforts have already cost Israel an enormous amount of money.

Schwarz also noted that the timetable established by Prime Minister Barak was set forth because of assured U.S. economic support. He suggested that without the aid, not only will U.S. credibility appear suspect but lack of funding would be devastating not only to Israeli security and peace but to the entire region's security and economic stability.

Today Schwarz reiterated the President's sentiments: " Timing is of the essence - delaying this important funding matter to the second session of the 106th Congress would be a grave foreign policy mistake. With February set as the target date for a framework for a final status agreement, Congress must act now."

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The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community and serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 122 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.