AJC Delighted With Decision To Withdraw Marayati Nomination

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 9 July 1999

The American Jewish Committee has applauded House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt for his "principled and courageous decision" to withdraw the nomination of Salam Al-Marayati to the Congressional counterterrorism commission.

In a letter sent to Mr. Gephardt today by Bruce M. Ramer and David A. Harris, AJC President and Executive Director, respectively, the AJC leaders reiterated the agency's position on the nomination.

"As we had advised your office, Mr. Al-Marayati's record of public statements, and those of the organization he directs, sympathetic to anti-American and anti-Israel terrorists raised profound questions about his suitability to serve on a panel advising Congress on counterterrorism policy.

"From our perspective, under difficult circumstances, you did the right thing on this case….You didn't 'bow' to anyone; you simply read what Mr. Al-Marayati had written, and then took the appropriate action."

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