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APN to Huntsman: Don't be fooled about American Jews

APN today sent the following letter to Governor Jon Huntsman to clarify that most American Jews want to see American policy promote Israeli-Palestinian peace, even if it means that  America sometimes places pressure on all parties -- including Israel -- to achieve this goal. APN's letter follows media reports that the Republican Jewish Coalition has voiced concerns over Huntsman's affiliation with realist foreign policy experts.


Governor Jon Huntsman
Jon Huntsman for President
255 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 600
Orlando, FL 32801

June 29, 2011


Mr. Governor:


Media reports indicate that the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) is warning that American Jews will have concerns over the influence of realist foreign policy experts - such as Brent Scowcroft, Richard Armitage, and Richard Haas - on your thinking regarding Israel. These reports suggest that while American Jews would like to see the U.S.-Israel relationship become an "unquestioning alliance," these advisers have advocated a "tougher American line with Israeli governments."


At the heart of this story lies a misconception about American Jews.


We want to correct the record. American Jews support a strong U.S.-Israel strategic relationship. At the same time, most American Jews know that Israel's security and its viability as a Jewish state and as a democracy depend on Israel reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians and its other Arab neighbors. 


That's why most American Jews want to see American policy promote Israeli-Palestinian peace, even if that means that America sometimes places pressure on all parties - including Israel - to achieve this goal.


Polling data bears out this assertion. A poll conducted by Gerstein-Agne Strategic Communications in March 2010 found that American Jews - by a 71-29 percent margin - support the United States "exerting pressure" on both the Israelis and the Arabs to make the necessary compromises to achieve peace. 


The media reports about the RJC's warning also fail to make clear that successive U.S. Administrations - from both parties - have supported a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. The advisers in question are on the record in support of this alliance.


For more than 20 years, our organization, Americans for Peace Now, has been the leading voice of the Zionist, pro-peace American Jewish community.  We look forward to working with you - and all presidential candidates - to support a policy that promotes Israel's long term survival and defends America's interests in the Middle East.


Martin I. Bresler, Chair
Debra DeLee, President & CEO