AJC Top Leadership Reaffirms Support for Israel and its Quest for Peace

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 14 December 2000

The American Jewish Committee's highest policy making body reaffirmed this week its support for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict through direct negotiations and called again upon the Palestinians to desist their campaign of violence against Israel.

The AJC leadership called on the administration of President-elect George W. Bush "to discourage regional hostility toward Israel by demonstrating its continued strong support for Israel's security and rights as a member of the community of democratic nations," and reasserted AJC 's continuing support for a preeminent American role in the peace process.

"We remain committed to the principle that Israel and its neighbors ultimately should resolve their differences at the bargaining table rather than in the streets or on the battlefield," said AJC's Board of Governors in a policy statement adopted on Monday. "For Israelis and Palestinians, and for the sake of regional stability, peaceful coexistence is not a policy option; it is a strategic and humanitarian necessity."

In its statement, the AJC Board "reaffirms its solidarity with the people and Government of Israel in the face of widespread Palestinian attacks, terrorist bombings, and the disregard of much of the international community for Israel's right to self-defense."

"In this time of crisis, American Jews stand as one with our brethren in Israel, a people united in the rejection of violence and in the pursuit of security and peace," the AJC Board stated.

Successful Israeli-Palestinian negotiations "require mutual commitment to the achievement of a satisfactory, peaceful and just resolution of their conflict. Palestinian incitement of hatred and violence belie that commitment and make the very compromises required of each party unattainable," the AJC Board stated.

"Until the resolve of Palestinian leadership to seek a negotiated, peaceful resolution is demonstrated through actions consistent with that objective, the future of peace and the security of Israel will remain in peril," the AJC statement asserted, "requiring Israel to take decisive, proportionate steps to safeguard its citizens."

"With Israelis under attack and the threats to their nation misreported and misapprehended across the globe, the American Jewish Committee rededicates itself to its historic mission of enhancing understanding, in America and around the world, of Israel's right to a secure existence and legitimate self-defense, its quest for normal relations with all its neighbors, its shared values and mutually beneficial ties with the United States, and its contributions to the causes of democracy, religious tolerance, regional stability and peace," the AJC policy statement concludes.

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