American Jewish Committee Officers Meet Labor Party Head Ehud Barak

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 15 March 1999

Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak told the American Jewish Committee today that he is determined to put Israel "back on track" after the May 17 election for prime minister, which he expects to win.

Gen. Barak said he is determined to reach an understanding on Lebanon that will "bring our boys home by June 2000," resume peace negotiations with Syria, implement the Wye River Memorandum and move to final-status talks with the Palestinians. On the domestic front, the Labor Party head said he is determined to invest heavily in Israel's future by focusing on education.

The AJC officers met with Gen. Barak at Labor Party headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Sharing his vision of a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, Gen. Barak said that his government would "never go back to the 1967 borders," would oppose an armed Arab force west of the Jordan river, and would ensure that most of the settlers live under Israel's sovereignty.

"I am fully confident we can get this kind of agreement with the Palestinians," said Gen. Barak, adding that he would be open to forming a national unity government in order to get a broad representation of the Israeli public behind a permanent settlement with the Palestinians.

Jerusalem, he acknowledged, would be a very difficult issue in the final-status talks. But Gen. Barak stressed that united Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel forever. "I am not ready to talk about any other option."

Gen. Barak said he "strongly believes we can resume the negotiations" with Syria that were suspended three years ago. But, he added that a final accord with Syria would not be necessary to reach an understanding on pulling back from Lebanon. Active talks with Syria will create the "environment" needed to achieve an agreement with Lebanon on withdrawing Israel's forces.

What will be needed, however, is an address in Lebanon to provide security and stability along Israel's northern border, he said.

AJC President Bruce M. Ramer shared with the Labor Party Chairman details of the discussion the AJC delegation held with Jordan's King Abdullah in Akaba on Saturday, in particular the new king's commitment to follow the path of his late father toward achieving regional peace.

Gen. Barak said Jordan is very important and that the United States should find a way to strengthen the kingdom through financial aid.

The AJC has actively advocated in Washington for additional aid for Jordan.

Barak expressed profound concern about the educational system in Israel, observing that some 62 percent of Israelis cannot pass the matriculation exams to enter university, he said.

"We have to launch a revolution" in education to make sure every Israeli can enter university.

He added that his government would take the necessary steps to revive the economy, which he said is experiencing the worst recession in the last decade. Noting that foreign investment has declined since the Rabin government, Gen. Barak said attracting foreign investment in Israeli industries would be a priority for putting the Israeli economy "back on track."

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