AJC Urges U.S. To Oppose Unilateral Declaration Of Palestinian Statehood; Calls For PLO To Revise Charter

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 7 December 1998

In a letter sent today to President Clinton regarding his upcoming visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the American Jewish Committee urged the United States to "unequivocally convey to Palestinian leaders the counter-productiveness of their persistent threats to proclaim a Palestinian state on May 4, 1999." In addition, AJC called for the PLO to "complete the process of amending its charter to exclude references inconsistent with Israel-Palestinian pledges" exchanged in the 1993 Oslo Accord and subsequent agreements, including at Wye.

The letter, signed by AJC President Bruce M. Ramer and Executive Director David A. Harris, reiterated the organization's commitment to the success of the Arab-Israeli peace process and its support for the critical role played by the United States.

The AJC letter commended to the President's attention the following concerns:

"-Because of the potentially dire consequences - to Arabs and Israelis alike, and to the future of regional peace - of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian sovereignty, America must unequivocally convey to Palestinian leaders the counter-productiveness of their persistent threats to proclaim a Palestinian state on May 4, 1999. These references to a unilateral declaration of statehood are thoroughly inconsistent with the principle of negotiated agreement on final status issues, undermine faith in the viability of the negotiating process, and demand forceful, consistent opposition by the United States.

"-As it seeks to bolster the political position of the Palestinian leadership against destructive forces in that population, America must not fail to hold such leadership accountable for acts of violence and incitement to violence within its jurisdiction or undertaken by its representatives.

"-In the current dispute between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over which Palestinian prisoners Israel will release in fulfillment of pledges made in connection with the Wye agreement, no outside party should exert pressure on Israel, a democracy continually targeted by terrorists, to release prisoners convicted of terrorist acts or known to be members of terrorist organizations such as Hamas.

"-As a demonstration of its unalterable commitment to coexistence and cooperation with Israel, the Palestine Liberation Organization must complete the process of amending its charter to exclude references inconsistent with Israeli-Palestinian pledges exchanged in connection with the Oslo Accord of September 1993 and subsequent agreements, including at Wye. The United States should not expect Israel to accept any action short of a revised charter as compliance with repeated Palestinian pledges to conclude such amendments."

With these concerns in mind, the AJC commended the President as "a friend of Israel and a tireless proponent of Middle East peace," and wished him success on his visit.

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