Prepared for the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
[email protected]
by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
If your email program has difficulty viewing this page, click here for the web version.

May 7, 2002

The Washington Rally for Israel
  • Speeches
  • Photos

    • In-Depth Issue:

    U.S. Peacekeepers in the West Bank?
        Increasingly, there are more proposals in the international community suggesting the deployment of peacekeeping forces, including U.S. troops, in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. U.S. peacekeepers that are part of the MFO in Egypt have been useful in the sparsely populated Sinai peninsula in order to monitor the implementation of the military clauses of the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian Treaty of Peace. They can contribute to building confidence in resolved conflicts.
        In an unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict, U.S. peacekeepers could get caught in the continuing Palestinian struggle. As in Lebanon in 1983, they may become targets of Islamic groups who will see them as a further expansion of the American military presence in the region, beyond the Arabian peninsula. They are unlikely to identify and stop Palestinian irregulars engaging in infiltration, but can limit the freedom of action of any Israeli response, increasing U.S.-Israeli friction.
        For a different view, see Clinton Sees a Role for G.I.s in the Middle East (New York Times).

    Useful Reference:

  • Did Your Congressman Vote for Israel?
        On May 2, both houses of Congress voted to support Israel in its fight against terrorism.
        Read the Senate debate (206k). View the rollcall vote list.
        Read the House debate (105k). View the rollcall vote list.
  • Palestinian Incitement and Education to Hate
        A special report from the Prime Minister's Office
  • Twenty Facts about Israel
  • Myths & Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict

    Key Links: Israel

    Key Links: USA

    Key Links: Media Lists

    Action Recommendations

    Daily Alert Back Issues

    		• News Resources - USA and Europe:
  • Sharon Calls For Major Reforms by Palestinians
    Addressing the annual meeting of the Anti-Defamation League, prime minister Sharon called for "major institutional, structural reform in the Palestinian Authority with regard to the structure of the police force." He said the Palestinian government should have "full transparency" and "not be dependent on the will of one man," and insisted on the "complete cessation of violence, terrorism and incitement." (Washington Post)
  • Deal Set in Bethlehem Siege
    A deal to end the 36-day siege at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem appears to be set. Israel will allow 13 wanted Palestinian terrorists to be exiled to Italy and send 26 more to the Gaza Strip. (Washington Post)
  • The Battle of Jenin
    In Jenin the Israelis sent a message: there is no quarter, no haven, for those who send out human bombers to blow themselves and Israelis apart in restaurants and cafes. Yet a Time investigation concludes that there was no wanton massacre in Jenin, no deliberate slaughter of Palestinians by Israeli soldiers. (Time)
  • Stream of Lies
    Ehud Barak wanted a peace deal. Now he backs Israel's military campaign. (Newsweek)

    • News Resources - Israel and Mideast:

  • Israel Shows Saudi Terror Links
    Israel has presented documents in Washington linking the Saudis to payments to terrorists. The 85-page dossier, compiled by Military Intelligence, indicates the systematic and ongoing transfer of large sums of money to the Palestinians by official Saudi institutions. The Saudi support was not only of a humanitarian religious nature, as Saudi spokesmen in the U.S. claim. Rather, the Saudis transferred "large sums of money in a systematic and ongoing manner to families of suicide terrorists, to the Hamas organization, and to persons and entities identified with Hamas." Such aid to families of terrorists considerably increases the motivation to perpetrate terror attacks, including suicide attacks. (Jerusalem Post)
  • 50,000 Rally for Israel in London's Trafalgar Square
    Conservative Party deputy leader and shadow foreign minister Michael Ancram told the crowd, "The peace process in Northern Ireland taught us that peace cannot be imposed." In addition, former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the rally, "Arafat must go because he did not turn out to be King Hussein, but Saddam Hussein." (Ha'aretz)
    •

    Global Commentary and Think Tank Analysis (Best of U.S., UK, and Israel):

  • Arafat's Failure May Offer Seeds of Hope - Daniel Pipes
    Perhaps his people can at last be freed from the obsession to destroy Israel. (Los Angeles Times)
  • Rebuilding a Damaged Palestine - Robert Malley
    The question is no longer whether the conflict will be internationalized, but how. The challenge is to create an international role that reflects the goals and concerns of the two parties. (New York Times)
  • The Case Against Yasser Arafat - Alan M. Dershowitz
    There is enough evidence against Arafat to assure his conviction of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in any fair legal system anywhere in the world. (National Post - Canada)
  • Washington Misled: Saudi Arabia's Financial Backing of Terrorism
    New documents uncovered from Palestinian offices directly link Saudi Arabia with financial backing of terrorist attacks against Israel. Last fall, NATO forces found links between Saudi charities and anti-American terrorism in Bosnia. Unless Saudi Arabia ceases all assistance, direct or indirect, for acts of international terrorism, it cannot play any role to stabilize the Middle East and advance Arab-Israeli peace. (Jerusalem Center)
  • Behind the Terrorists - Nicholas D. Kristof
    Anybody who has met Al Qaeda supporters knows that the terrorists are motivated in part by American foreign policy, principally the American military bases in Saudi Arabia and, to a lesser extent, Palestinian rights. But it's hard to make too much of the Israel angle because Al Qaeda was planning the 9/11 attacks just as peace talks were proceeding unusually hopefully in 2000. (New York Times)
  • About Those Refugee Camps - Mona Charen
    Why do people remain in refugee camps 54 years after Israel's founding? The Palestinians are the only people on Earth who live on international welfare. Last year, according to Fox News, the United States gave $83.6 million to UNRWA. Saudi Arabia gave $1.8 million. (Washington Times)
        See also What Exactly is the UN Doing in its Refugee Camps (with our money)? (Weekly Standard)
  • The U.S. Must Stand with Israel - William J. Bennett
    On September 11, Israelis lowered their flags to half staff in empathy with the U.S. By contrast, Palestinians in the West Bank were cheering in the streets. (Jerusalem Post)
    • Talking Points: A Regional Middle East Conference
  • A regional Middle East conference can re-establish regular lines of communication between Israel and Arab states, setting the stage for restoring the peace process.
  • Like Madrid, the regional conference should facilitate bilateral and multi-lateral negotiations -- and not become an instrument for imposed solutions.
  • The common ground for states attending a regional Middle East conference is a commitment to peace and a total rejection of terrorism.
    •     Daily Alert is sponsored by the Fairness Project