American Jewish Committee Leaders Meet With Israel's Prime Minister

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 15 March 1999

Referring to Palestinian proposals to unilaterally declare an independent state on May 4, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the American Jewish Committee yesterday that he does not believe the Palestinians will make any political movement, positive or negative, before Israel's elections on May 17.

He expressed appreciation for the U.S. opposition to a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.

The meeting with the AJC officers, chaired by AJC President Bruce M. Ramer, occurred a day after the European Union said that Jerusalem, according to UN Resolution 181, does not legally fall under Israeli sovereignty.

Mr. Netanyahu noted that the resolution, which is the original UN Partition Plan for Palestine, was categorically rejected more than 50 years ago by the Arabs, and the Palestinians cannot get today what they spurned a half-century ago.

If the Palestinians desire Jerusalem, "Forget It," he said, adding that Jerusalem is not negotiable.

During the 45-minute meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Netanyahu also discussed the peace process, U.S.-Israel relations, the threat of weapons of mass destruction being developed in Iran, and Israel's economy.

The Prime Minister briefed the American Jewish Committee delegation on his achievements regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, including making the Palestinian Authority accountable for obligations in signed agreements.

He spoke with confidence about winning reelection later this spring, and then moving to final status talks. The Prime Minister also spoke of his desire to reach a peace accord with Syria and the current difficulties Israel faces in Lebanon.

Asked about the evolving relationship between the United States and the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Netanyahu said that U.S. relations with the Palestinians do not go deeper than the regime, whereas the U.S.-Israel relationship is deep, down to the level of citizens of both countries.

Relations with the United States will become especially important in final-status talks, said the Prime Minister. But he "strongly advised" Washington not to take a position on substance, like Jerusalem and other final-status issues.

On weapons of mass destruction, Mr. Netanyahu said there is a "proliferation problem" with Russian nuclear and missile technology flowing to Iran. "It's a huge problem not only for Israel, but for all of mankind," he said.

Mr. Netanyahu said he had strongly supported U.S. policy aimed a stopping such technology transfers from Russia, though American efforts have not been fully successful.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday told U.S. Jewish leaders that an increasingly robust Israeli economy will realize his goals of ending U.S. foreign aid and increasing immigration, including from the United States.

"We will compete for your children," Mr. Netanyahu told the American Jewish Committee.

He spoke at length about the "miraculous" achievements of the Israeli economy, which he attributed to the country's vibrant hi-tech sector. Some 21 percent of all computer software patents in the world are developed in Israel, he noted.

Aliyah is growing from Western European countries, he said, because people recognize that Israel also provides increasingly attractive economic opportunities, and "your children and your children's children" will be similarly motivated.

Meetings in Greece preceded the AJC officers' three-day visit to Israel with the Greek Prime Minister and Defense Minister and in Jordan with King Abdullah and Queen Noor.

In Athens the AJC leaders reaffirmed the longstanding ties between the American Jewish Committee and the Greek government, Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Jewish community. Greek-Israeli relations and concerns of the Greek Jewish community were among the issues discussed.

In separate meetings with King Abdullah and Queen Noor, the AJC leaders shared memories of the late King Hussein and discussed ways to work with Jordan on keeping his spirit alive in furthering Middle East peace.

The delegation will continue to Switzerland and France before returning to the United States at the end of this week.

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