American Jewish Committee Grieves for U.S.Victims of Terror Attack in Yemen

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 12 October 2000

The American Jewish Committee, in a letter delivered to the White House, expressed deep sorrow for the men in uniform on the U.S.S. Cole killed and wounded in today's terrorist attack in Aden.

"Our hearts go out to the families of these latest victims of terror, and to the families of all American military personnel whose lives are touched by this tragedy," wrote AJC President Bruce M. Ramer and Acting Executive Director Shulamith Bahat in their letter to President Clinton.

"Today's attack on a U.S. Naval vessel, coinciding with an escalation in Palestinian violence against Israeli soldiers and civilians – including the brutal murders of Israeli soldiers by a Palestinian mob in Ramallah – remind us again of the shared burdens and destinies of our country and its democratic ally and partner in pursuit of Middle East peace, the State of Israel," the AJC letter stated.

Mr. Ramer and Ms. Bahat expressed full support for the president "in every step you and our allies take to bring those responsible to justice."

The full text of the AJC letter to President Clinton follows:

Dear Mr. President:

The American Jewish Committee grieves with all our countrymen for the men in uniform on the U.S.S. Cole killed and wounded in today's terrorist attack in Aden. Our hearts go out to the families of these latest victims of terror, and to the families of all American military personnel whose lives are touched by this tragedy.

Today's attack, we know, was not an isolated incident. It followed a grim pattern of bombings of U.S. military and diplomatic targets in and around the Middle East, stretching back to the horrific bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut and including the Khubar Towers attack in Dhahran and the bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. It again drove home to us and our fellow citizens the high stakes in the international campaign to confront terror, and the grave costs and heavy responsibilities of American leadership in that effort.

In your pursuit of the perpetrators of today's cowardly crime, Mr. President, and in every step you and our allies take to bring those responsible to justice, please know that you have our full support. The United States must – and does – speak with one voice, and advance one agenda, in the campaign against terror.

Today's attack on a U.S. Naval vessel, coinciding with an escalation in Palestinian violence against Israeli soldiers and civilians – including the brutal murders of Israeli soldiers by a Palestinian mob in Ramallah – remind us again of the shared burdens and destinies of our country and its democratic ally and partner in pursuit of Middle East peace, the State of Israel.

On this sad day, as we mourn the latest victims of Middle East terror, we express to you our appreciation for your steadfast support of Israel as you advance and protect America's strategic interests in that vital region, and our sorrow that our nation once again has had to pay so high a price for its defense of freedom.

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