Jewish Community Stresses Need For Courageous Leadership To Create An Atmosphere Of Hope In The Middle East

American Jewish Committee
Wednesday, 12 March 1997

In a meeting convened by the American Jewish Committee for a group of Jewish leaders with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that lasted over an hour, Ambassador Max Kampelman, Chair of AJC's National Advisory Council, praised Egypt's historic role in bringing peace to the Middle East but expressed the American Jewish community's discomfort and serious concern over the lack of courageous leadership to help Arab-Israeli negotiations move forward. The Jewish leaders called for Mubarak to visit Israel as an

important step to create the necessary atmosphere of trust to advance the peace process.

The meeting of 25 Jewish leaders at historic Blair House was characterized by frank discussions of what the Jewish community sees as a consistent drum beat of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish invective in the Egyptian media, the slow pace of bilateral commercial transactions between nations that have formally been at peace for 18 years, a perceived reluctance by Egypt to support and encourage a quickening pace of normalization between Israel and other Arab and Islamic nations, and a desire by the American Jewish community to have President Mubarak pay a formal visit to Israel.

In addition to the American Jewish Committee, the meeting included representatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Congress, Bnai Brith, AIPAC, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and Americans For Peace Now, among others.

Ambassador Kampelman recalled the courage and vision of President Sadat who, by taking his historic 1977 trip to Jerusalem, began a process that culminated in the signing at the White House -- just across the street from Blair House -- of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty 18 years ago this month. President Sadat had called then for love to replace the atmosphere of hate that had dominated the Middle East for so long. The American Jewish community is increasingly concerned by a disturbing trend in the Egyptian media characterized by venomous articles and political cartoons characaturing Israel and its Prime Minister.

President Mubarak recalled that he had supported President Sadat when he made his decision to go to Jerusalem.

The Egyptian leader characterized the current relationship with Israel as it related to the peace process as one of ups and downs. He defended his government's record in promoting joint business ventures between Egyptian and Israeli businessmen and enterprises and said he had encouraged exchanges between Egyptian and Israeli artists and intellectuals. He also adamantly refuted charges that Egypt had not been helpful in overcoming difficulties during the recent negotiations over Hebron.

Citing the urgent need for courageous leadership by the Egyptian president, the Jewish representatives appealed for a dramatic initiative such as a visit to Israel now to stimulate the peace process and create greater confidence as Israel take risks for peace.

AJCommittee's director of government and international affairs Jason Isaacson said the meeting "was useful, but less than what we hoped for. We always appreciate President Mubarak's courtesy and his willingness to meet with us to discuss the concerns of our community. This meeting, however, was not as hopeful as many of us would have liked. We appreciate the importance of Egypt in the Middle East peace process, the extraordinary courage that President Sadat demonstrated and hope that President Mubarak will continue this tradition as the peace process passes through difficult times."

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