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Politics : Israel to U.S. : Now Deal with Syria and Iran -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ed Huang who wrote (668)	5/2/2003 10:05:38 AM
From: Crimson Ghost	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 22250

Article in mainstream Israel newpaper discusses Zionist domination of US Congress re: Mideast issues. So low has the US Congress sunk, that the only hope for peace may be the fact that some Zionists are dissenting from the Likudnik line. Road map lobbyists get into high gear By Nathan Guttman, Haaretz Correspondent WASHINGTON - An hour after the road map was officially delivered in the Middle East, lobbying groups - both for and against the peace plan - sprang into action. Letters that had long been waiting for President George W. Bush and his top advisers were sent and the lobbying went into high gear. Among those trying to influence the administration are representatives from Israel, including Tourism Minister Benny Elon, the pro-transfer ideologue in the National Union bloc, who is due in the U.S. on Friday to campaign against the road map. Elon's arrival was delayed by the nationwide strike in Israel that kept Ben-Gurion Airport closed, but he is slated to meet with congressmen and senators to deliver a very different message from that being officially issued by Jerusalem. As far as Elon is concerned, the road map is a "disaster for Israel," an existential threat to the country's citizenry. He also has lined up a series of meetings with well-known evangelist preachers who are known for their support for Israel and their hawkish lines. Given that the right-wing Christian support for Bush is considered a crucial element for his re-election, Elon's campaign could prove to be significant in the long run. No administration officials will meet Elon, but they will certainly hear his message via the legislators he meets. An even clearer, though more moderate, message reached the administration on Thursday, when a letter from Congress to the president warned Bush not to harm Israel during implementation of the road map. The letter, initiated by congressmen Tom Lantos, Roy Blunt, Stenny Hoyner and Henry Hyde, drew 313 signatures from other members of the House, an impressive number by all accounts. The language of the letter is cautious but clear. The congressmen say they support the road map and want American intervention in the peace process on the basis of a two-state solution, but warn the administration not to make too many demands on Israel before the Palestinians do their part. "Many are urging you to short circuit this process and to focus on timelines in achieving the road map benchmarks," they wrote. "We believe you will not be dissuaded and will focus instead on real performance." The letter demands that the Palestinians dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, restructure its security apparatus, and provide more transparency and responsibility on the part of the PA. At the same time, a similar letter signed by 88 of 100 senators was sent to Bush. Although the letters have no formal status or legislative meaning, the fact that so many congressmen, from both parties, signed them should make it clear to the administration that Capitol Hill firmly supports Israel and demands that the Palestinians fight terror. That enormous support can be attributed in part to intensive activity by AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, which published a cautious welcome to the road map Thursday. AIPAC says it does not support throwing out the road map or advancing it regardless of Palestinian performance. On the other side of the political map, there is no less activity, including Israeli involvement. At least 100 rabbis have signed a Jewish Peace Coalition letter sent to Bush prodding him to implement the road map and to fill it with more details about the nature of the final settlement to give Palestinians the incentive to fulfill its demands. The rabbis base their appeal on a September letter written to Bush by former Israeli ministers Shlomo Ben-Ami, Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Yuli Tamir, urging the president to develop a detailed American peace plan and press for implementation on both sides. "The administration isn't hearing the voices calling for something that is more than the road map has to offer," said Jerome Segal, head of the coalition. "They hear only those who oppose it or who are willing to accept it as it is." Others in the organized Jewish community also believe their voices are not being heard. A group of major Jewish donors, headed by Edgar Bronfman, sent a letter to the leadership of both houses of congress expressing unreserved support for the road map. "We are writing to express our concern over recent efforts to sidetrack implementation of the road map," they wrote, without mentioning by name those who are trying to divert the road map while adding that they oppose any pressure on Israel. The decision makers have the entire spectrum of views before them, including the official Israeli government's view. So far, the administration has responded only to Jerusalem's official position, but when the plan reaches the stage of negotiations and pressure, the lobbyists' weight will surely affect the administration's views. Tourism Minister Benny Elon (National Union) is due in Washington on Friday to campaign against the road map. (Knesset Photo) Related Links * The road map * U.S. Jews tread softly on `road map' during Iraq war * Op-Ed / The battle for Washington Top Articles No politics, please The TA Museum says it wants to keep politics out of art despite a controversial award-winning artist, accusations of censorship, and a resignation. By Dana Gilerman How much for a broken ego? Despite knowing that the last thing the Israeli economy or the population needs is a strike, Histadrut and Treasury delegates did not hold talks the day the before the strike. By Moti Bassok The test of the new government Matching Israeli gov't policy to the principles laid down by Abu Mazen will only be possible if the Palestinians make a genuine effort to fight terror. Editorial