AJC Board Of Governors Adopts Policy Statement On Arab-Israeli Peace Process

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 29 June 1998

The American Jewish Committee, in a policy statement on the Arab - Israeli peace process adopted today by its Board of Governors, expressed grave concern about the current impasse and reaffirmed its support for an active American role in the process. Recognizing the deepening mistrust between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and the approaching deadlines set forth in already-approved agreements, AJC's Board of Governors called for compliance with commitments undertaken in those accords. Further, AJC asserted that Israel alone must make the fateful decisions affecting its peace and security.

The full AJC statement reads:

"The American Jewish Committee, convinced that Israel's long-term security can only be achieved through directly negotiated agreements with the Palestinians and with Arab states -- guaranteed by an unrivaled defense and buttressed by close cooperation with the United States -- is gravely concerned about the current impasse in the Arab - Israeli peace process. Deepening mistrust among the parties, the spread of Islamic radicalism in the territories and across the region, and the unceasing efforts of rejectionist states to acquire weapons of mass destruction pose an escalating danger of instability and conflict that could threaten Israel, peace-loving people throughout the Middle East, and American national interests.

"In the belief that the achievement of peace between Arabs and Israelis offers opportunity to counteract these threats, convinced that circumstances demand forthright and timely action to protect the gains achieved in the peace negotiations to date and to encourage further progress, and bearing in mind the deadlines set forth in agreements among the parties, the American Jewish Committee reaffirms:

"Our support for the Arab-Israeli peace process within the Madrid framework, as carried forward by the Oslo and Hebron accords, and our call for compliance with commitments undertaken in those accords;

"Our profound recognition that Israel alone must make the fateful decisions affecting its abiding quest for peace and security;

"Our support for the active role that the United States has played and continues to play in searching for ways to build confidence and bridge gaps between Israel and the Palestinians;

"Our support for and confidence in the bipartisan American commitment to the security of Israel, America's partner in democracy, strategic ally, and friend;

"Our absolute condemnation of terror, and the use and tolerance of terror for political ends, and our firm conviction that the Palestinian Authority must fulfill its commitments relating to Israel's security;

"Our call to the Arab world to fully support the peace process and to press ahead in the normalization of its relations with Israel, knowing that continued progress toward Arab-Israeli peace and increasing, constructive interaction between Arabs and Israelis constitute a force for stability in a volatile region."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org