American Jewish Committee Mourns King Hussein Of Jordan, Hailing His 'courageous Embrace Of True Peace With Israel'

American Jewish Committee
Sunday, 7 February 1999

The American Jewish Committee today mourned the death of His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan. The organization's President, Bruce M. Ramer, and Executive Director, David A. Harris, issued the following statement:

"The American Jewish Committee mourns with the subjects of His Majesty King Hussein, and all peace-loving people, the untimely passing of this extraordinary leader, whose statesmanship forever altered the stale dynamic of Arab-Israeli relations.

"In his courageous embrace of real peace with Israel, King Hussein led his nation toward a new Middle East, in which Arab and Jew would not only reconcile but join hands, respecting each other's rights and borders and working together against the ominous forces - hate, violence, greed and poverty - that stalk the region. That his noble vision remains only partly fulfilled is a summons to all of us to redouble our efforts, together, for the cause of peace he so bravely championed.

"In the years since the October 1994 treaty between Jordan and Israel, King Hussein demonstrated in ways both grand and intimate his commitment to true peace - interrupting his medical treatment to help President Clinton, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Chairman Arafat conclude the Wye River agreement last October; visiting the families of Israeli schoolchildren murdered by a crazed Jordanian soldier two years ago; eulogizing, with majestic eloquence, his 'brother' in the search for peace, Prime Minister Rabin.

"My colleagues and I were privileged to meet with His Majesty from time to time, in our country and his. We will cherish our own memories of his wisdom and compassion as he articulated in these discussions his bold vision of cooperation across the Jordan River and throughout the Middle East. As we mourn this great leader, and as we strive, as Americans and as Jews, for new understanding and an enduring peace between Arabs and Israelis, we look forward to our continuing work with the government and the people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

"We express our profound sympathy to His Majesty's family and to all his people at this time of great sadness."

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