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APN Legislative Round-up for the week ending July 22, 2011

1. Bills, Resolutions and Letters
2. State Department Authorization Bill - the text (HR 2583)
3. State Department Authorization Bill - the markup and amendments
4. APN Calls for Boycott of Settlements, Settlement Products
5. APN Calls on Jewish Community to Oppose Anti-Democratic Trend in Israel
6. Shameless plug for my new op-ed on Palestinians at the UN
7. CUFI on the Hill
8. From the Archives: Bouyed by Congress, Israel Won't Alter Negotiating Points (NYT, 1975)
9. Odds and Ends

(The Round-Up is a day early this week - apologies for any inconvenience this may cause).

1. Bills, Resolutions and Letters

(Foreign Assistance, Etc.) HR 2583: Introduced 7/19/11 by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), the "Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2012" (aka the State Department Authorization bill). Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and marked up in the full committee 7/20 and 7/21. For more details see Sections 2 and 3, below.

NOTE: As has been noted previously in the Round-Up, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (which should be passed every year or every two years) very rarely actually passes into law. Instead it ends up being a "Christmas Tree" on which members (particularly those in the majority) hang every ornament they can think of, resulting in a bill that is not reconcilable with any Senate version (the Senate version is generally more sober) and that, if it were sent to the president (even a Republican president) would almost certainly be vetoed. This year's bill - which includes the Global Gag Rule, cuts funding to the UN, cut funding to fight global warming, and through various provisions cuts funding to almost every U.S. country with which the U.S. has an aid relationship (and will only get worse when it goes to the floor) -- is a prime example of this phenomenon. So the chances of this bill passing into law are practically nil. Nonetheless, the provisions in and amendments offered to this bill offer a valuable roadmap with respect to things we are likely to see pop up again, either as freestanding measures or in other bills (including appropriations bills which, unlike authorization bills, are "must-pass" legislation).

(Arab League Boycott of Israel) HR 2589: Introduced 7/19/11 by Rep. Berman (D-CA) and no cosponsors, "To prohibit certain activities in support of the Arab League boycott of Israel, and for other purposes. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this bill, as explained in Rep. Berman's statement introducing it, is to affirm and permanently codify into law existing U.S. anti-boycott legislation (which has expired and is now extended periodically by the president through emergency orders - for more, see footnote on page 7 of this report from the Congressional Research Service). It is worth noting that while existing anti-boycott law does not explicitly reference Israel or the Arab League Boycott of Israel (though clearly that is the focus of the legislation), HR 2589, in its findings, makes the link explicit. A version of this bill was offered by Rep. Berman, and adopted, as an amendment to HR 2583, discussed in Section 3, below.

(Middle East Development) S. 1388: Introduced 7/19/11 by Sens. Kerry (D-MA), Lieberman (R-, I mean I-CT), and McCain (R-AZ), "to support private sector development, employment growth, rule of law, democratic reform, and accountable government in qualified transition countries in the Middle East and North Africa through the authorization of the participation by the United States in the general capital increase of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and for other purposes." Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(IRAN) Kirk/Schumer letter Urging Sanctions Against the Central Bank of Iran: This week Sens. Kirk (R-IL) and Schumer (D-NY) are seeking cosigners on a letter to President Obama. The letter strongly urges the President to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and to encourage allies to do the same. The text of the letter is available here. According to an email circulating with the letter, as of 7/13/11 the letter had been signed by: Schumer (D-NY), Kirk (R-IL), Lieberman(R, I mean I-CT), Kyl (R-AZ), Murkowski (R-AK), Moran (R-KS), Blunt (R-MO), Gillibrand (D-NY), Wyden (D-OR), Coats (R-IN), Vitter (R-LA), Boozman (R-AR), and Heller (R-NV). Reportedly the Obama Administration has serious concerns about the proposal to sanction the Central Bank of Iran. It seems the U.S. has never sanctioned the central bank of another nation before, and believes that doing so here would have massive secondary and tertiary effects. Such an act could be considered a backdoor trade embargo, and would have huge impacts on foreign banks doing legitimate international settlements with Iran. There is concern, too, that preventing a sovereign immune bank (central banks have sovereign immunity) from doing business might be considered an act of war.

(GREECE) Berkley et al letter to Greek Ambassador: On 7/20/11 Reps. Berkley (D-NV) office circulated a Dear Colleague -- co-signed by Bilirakis (R-FL), Engel (D-NY), Grimm (R-NY), and Maloney (D-NY) -- seeking cosigners on a letter to the Greek ambassador applauding Greece for its actions to stop the recent Gaza flotilla. Text of the letter here.

2. State Department Authorization Bill - the text

The base text of HR 2583 (which changed up until 11pm on 7/19/11) is available here.
With respect to its Middle East provisions, the base text is basically the same as was summarized in last week's edition of the Round-Up. The only significant change is a tweaking of the language regarding presidential waiver authority for assistance to Egypt, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Authority. With these tweaks the President still would not have unhampered authority to waive restrictions on aid, even if vital national security interests were at stake, but the conditions for using the waiver are somewhat less impossible to satisfy.

Previous language:

(1) failure to exercise such waiver authority would pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the vital national security interests of the United States;
(2) the United States is fully implementing and enforcing existing end-use monitoring mechanisms and all United States equipment provided are fully accounted for; and
(3) the United States has established and implemented comprehensive procedures to vet all recipients of United States security assistance, including collection, storage, and use of biometric data and biometric identification systems, to ensure that no recipients are members of, or affiliated with, a foreign terrorist organization or any affiliates or supporters thereof.

New language:

(1) it is in the vital national security interests of the United States to do so;
(2) the United States is fully implementing and enforcing existing end-use monitoring mechanisms; and
(3) the United States has established and implemented comprehensive procedures to vet all recipients of United States security assistance to ensure that no recipients are members of, or affiliated with, a foreign terrorist organization.

In addition, two things that were left out of last week's analysis:

SEC. 407. PROHIBITION ON ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES THAT FAIL TO MEET THE MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION'S CORRUPTION PERFORMANCE INDICATOR.
This provision would in effect prohibit ANY economic or development assistance to any country that does not meet the MCC's performance indicator for corruption. It should be noted that the MCC was established not to replace regular U.S. aid mechanisms but to complement them with a program specifically designed to promote/incentivize/reward performance of countries on things like corruption. However, this seemingly innocuous provision would in effect bar aid to many if not most current recipients of U.S. humanitarian and economic assistance worldwide. The provision allows the president to waive the prohibition if doing so "is important to the national security interests of the United States."

SEC. 811. RIGHTS OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN EGYPT.
This is a Statement of Congress to the effect that "Congress is concerned about the state of religious freedom in Egypt and the plight of religious minorities in the country, including Coptic Christians." It is also a Sense of Congress that "the Office of International Religious Freedom and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the Department of State should dedicate all appropriate resources to promoting the rights of religious minorities in Egypt."

3. State Department Authorization Bill - the markup and amendments

The marathon markup of HR 2583 started on 7/20/11 at 10am and continued throughout the day into the early hours of 7/21/11. After a recess to allow members and staff to sleep/shower/weep, the markup re-started at 9:15am on 7/21/11 and continues as of this writing. The opening statement of HFAC Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) can be read here; the opening state of HFAC ranking member Berman (D-CA) can be read here.

Amendments offered to bill can be viewed here and here (added as they are introduced). All amendments passed/failed on a party-line vote (exceptions were a handful of non-controversial amendments offered by members of both parties and a couple of amendments from Rohrabacher (R-CA) that did not get Republican support).

Amendments relevant to the Middle East (thus far - this Round-Up only covers the hearing until 5:30pm EST, 7/21/11) are:

Poe (R-TX) amendment to cut 25% of funding to UN regular funds. In defending his amendment Poe noted (among other things) that the "UN pays for anti-Semitic textbooks to be given to Palestinian children..." (1:55). AGREED TO. A secondary amendment offered by Carnahan (D-MO) to add a national security waiver was DEFEATED.

Schwartz (D-PA) amendment to delete Section 407 (detailed above). DEFEATED.

Duncan (R-SC) amendment to bar U.S. aid to any government that opposes US at the UN more than 50% of the time (with national security waiver). AGREED TO. The debate over the Duncan amendment included repeated references to the fact that most votes against the U.S. in the UN are over Israel (with the clear implication that not supporting the amendment was tantamount to not supporting Israel). The original wording of the amendment barred aid to any "country..."; following discussion the wording was change to "government..."

Schwartz (D-PA) amendment to require a report on multilateral efforts to isolate Israel. AGREED TO BY VOICE VOTE and without debate.

Berman (D-CA) amendment similar to HR 2589 (discussed in section 1, above). AGREED TO BY VOICE VOTE and without debate.

Duncan (R-SC) amendment (no text as of this writing) to demand that the Secretary of State designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (note: Congress does not have the legal authority to designate a country an FTO). Duncan made the case that the MB is a threat to U.S. national security, is closely tied to Al Qaeda, and is trying to destroy western civilization. Berman noted that there are many different MBs in different countries, and that the Egyptian MB has taken specific steps to distance itself from terrorists. He asked for the amendment to be deferred until the bill is brought to the floor and in the meantime asked the Chairwoman to convene a classified briefing to examine the facts to see if such a designation is correct. WITHDRAWN. Duncan agreed to withdraw the amendment and request the classified briefing asap.

Duncan (R-SC) amendment (no text as of this writing) to bar aid to the Muslim Brotherhood (irrespective of whether it is an FTO). Cardoza (D-CA) questioned whether the amendment shouldn't specify which MB; Duncan said this is like asking what is the difference between the various versions of Al Qaeda. Rep. Burton noted that the amendment relates to aid to the MB, not aid to an Egyptian government that includes the MB.  Given that the U.S. does not generally provide assistance to foreign political parties, this amendment in effect bars aid that would not exist in the first place (grandstanding).  AGREED TO BY VOICE VOTE.

Berman (D-CA) en bloc amendment (no text as of this writing) to promote the private sector in Egypt and Tunisia (and Pakistan). Chairman Ros-Lehtinen asked Berman to withdraw the amendment to give Republicans and Democrats the opportunity to work together to study the important questions related to enterprise funds for these countries. Berman agreed. WITHDRAWN.

Berman (D-CA) amendment entitled "the Hizballah Anti-Terrorism Act of 2011." Berman noted that the base text of the bill essentially makes it impossible for the US to provide assistance to our friends in Lebanon (as noted in last week's Round-Up). The amendment, he said, would allow the US to continue to supply aid to serve our interests while going against interests of Hizballah. It would do so by striking most of section 961 and replacing with text of HR 2215 (which has bipartisan support). For some background on the debate between Berman and Ros-Lehtinen on this issue, see this article in Al Arabiya. A vote on this amendment was postponed until after the cut-off time for this Round-Up (will report on it next week).

Schwartz (D-CA) amendment requiring State Department report on legal reforms (already in bill) in Egypt to include a report on political reforms. ADOPTED BY VOICE VOTE.

Further reading:

Sunshine News 7/21/11: Florida Republicans Take Aim at Middle East and Latin American Nations Through Foreign Aid
Globes (Israel) 7/21/11: US House C'ttee saves Israeli aid in foreign aid cut
AP in Al Masry al Yom (Egypt) 7/21/11: US House panel weighs bill restricting foreign aid to Egypt
AFP 7/20/11: US spares Pakistan aid but keeps pressure
Washington Post 7/20/11:House moves to restrict U.S. foreign aid
Jerusalem Post 7/19/11: US Congress c'tee to consider cutting PA, Lebanese aid
AP 7/18/11: House bill to limit aid to Pakistan, Palestinians

4. APN Calls for Boycott of Settlements, Settlement Products

7/19/11: APN Joins Peace Now's Call for Boycotting Settlements

Washington, DC - Today the Board of Directors of Americans for Peace Now met in a special session to discuss Israel's new anti-boycott law. In the session the board unanimously adopted the following position: APN's Board wholeheartedly endorses Peace Now's campaign to challenge the new law and joins in their call for a boycott of products made in settlements.

APN President and CEO Debra DeLee commented:

"The actions of our Board today underscore the seriousness of the threat today to Israel's democracy. The new law passed by the Knesset is a travesty of democracy. APN proudly supports our colleagues in the Israeli Peace Now movement as they lead domestic efforts to challenge the new law. They understand what this law means for Israel and for their future as Israelis. They know that it is not just their own ability to fight for peace, but also the very soul of Israel, that it is at stake.

"APN continues to oppose boycotts and other forms of BDS against Israel and the Israeli people as a whole, and urges people to continue buying Israeli products. However, today it is clear that Israeli extremists are exploiting concerns about BDS, turning them into a pretext to effectively outlaw peaceful opposition to settlements and the occupation. In light of these attacks, no one who cares about Israel can afford to be squeamish about the issue of settlement boycotts.

"Today we join Peace Now in urging all those who care about Israel's character as a democracy to boycott settlements and products made in settlements. Settlements are not Israel. Such a boycott is the best way to show our support for Israel and to register our commitment to Israeli democracy."

"Like Peace Now, we recognize that fundamentally this new law is not about boycotts or even, truly, about settlements. It is about stifling dissent, smothering activism, and suppressing freedom of expression. We also know that this flagrant attack on the basic democratic value of freedom of expression is not an isolated case. Tomorrow the Knesset will consider an anti-democratic measure that would set up McCarthy-ite committees to investigate Israeli non-governmental organizations. Multiple other pieces of pending legislation seek to suffocate the Israeli civil society organizations that are most critical to preserving Israel's democracy - groups working to promote peace, human rights, and civil rights within Israel.

"All of us who love Israel - who love the people of Israel and who are deeply committed to ensuring a future for them in the Jewish and democratic state of Israel - must speak out and act to protest these attacks on Israel's democracy."

5. APN Calls on Jewish Community to Oppose Anti-Democratic Trend in Israel

7/20/11: APN Calls on US Jewish Groups to Help Protect Israeli Democracy

Washington, DC - As the Knesset prepares for a vote on yet another anti-democratic bill, Americans for Peace Now (APN) is calling on fellow American Jewish organizations to help protect Israeli tolerance, democracy and civil rights.

Later today Israel's Knesset is set to vote on a bill that would establish McCarthy-like "parliamentary inquiry panels" to investigate human rights and social justice groups. One of the measure's chief supporters, Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, earlier this week labeled such groups "terror organizations." This vote comes after last week's vote, in which the Knesset passed a bill that in effect outlaws calling for the boycott of products made in West Bank settlements. Many more bills targeting Israeli civil society groups, including those fighting for peace, human rights and civil rights, are awaiting Knesset approval.

Debra DeLee, APN's President and CEO said: "It's time for America's organizational community to clearly and assertively speak out against this assault on organizations that are part of the precious mosaic of Israeli democracy. American Jews, who care about Israel's character as a state that respects pluralism and tolerates dissent must say: No. They must do everything they can to stop these appalling attacks on what makes the Jewish state so central to our value-system. We cry out when Israel is attacked by external foes who wish to destroy it. We must also raise our voices when Israel's very soul comes under attack by short sighted and demagogical politicians, who are using their majority power to clip the wings of their own democracy. So far, these politicians seem unmoved by domestic objections to their actions. They need to know that such objections are not limited to Israel, but extend across the Atlantic, to the American Jewish community."

The parliamentary inquiries bill is one of many draconian measures on the Knesset's docket. Examples:

• A bill that would attack free speech by permitting individuals to submit a criminal complaint or a slander suit against people or organizations that criticize the state of Israel or its institutions;
• A bill that would legalize racism by allowing Jewish communities to bar Arab citizens of Israel from becoming residents (Passed; under Supreme Court consideration);
• A bill that would undermine free speech by criminalizing public statements denying Israel's character as a Jewish and democratic state;
• A bill that would attack Israeli civil society by authorizing the shutting down of any association deemed to "harm Israel as a Jewish state;"
• A bill that would threaten the ability of civil society non-profit organizations to fundraise by dramatically limiting financial support that non-profit organizations may receive from "foreign political entities;"
• A bill that threatens the ability of civil society non-profit organizations to fundraise by imposing a 45% tax on foreign financial contributions to non-profits.
• A slew of bills aimed at restricting the authority of the Supreme Court, including restrictions on the Court's authority to overturn "unconstitutional" laws passed by the Knesset.

6. Shameless plug for my new op-ed on Palestinians at the UN

No choice but the UN for Palestinians
Posted By Lara Friedman, Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Palestinian leadership seems determined to bring its case for statehood to the U.N. in September. The details remain unknown, but that hasn't stopped pundits and groups from staking out hard-line positions opposing the effort. These reactions consist of a lot of hype and some measure of hysteria. It's time for a dose of clear thinking and common sense. The reality is that some Palestinian initiative is almost certain to come before the U.N. in September. Palestinians have lost faith in the negotiated approach to the peace process, and have settled on this new strategy without asking for American or Israeli approval. Indeed, the hysteria they are provoking only makes the strategy more attractive given their inability to get a meaningful response to anything else they propose.

Those who are truly concerned about what that could mean for Israel should be pressing for bold U.S. action to avert a collision at the U.N., rather than simply criticizing the Palestinians and demanding that they desist. The bold action, for example, could be in the form of a serious initiative to re-accredit peace efforts and give the Palestinians a real reason -- not just a thin pretext -- to change course, or a U.S.-backed initiative to transform the proposed U.N. action on Palestine into something broader, like a Security Council resolution embracing key peace parameters. Absent such an effort, the Palestinians will have a hard time backing off their U.N. strategy, even if they want to.

This should not be taken to mean that there are no reasons for concern. A U.N. resolution won't resolve the issues of borders, refugees, security and Jerusalem, nor can it end the occupation. It cannot build support on both sides for an acceptable final status agreement. Only negotiations that involve both Israel and the Palestinians can achieve these goals -- something that the Palestinian leadership itself has recognized.

It's true too that taking the Palestinians' case to the U.N. involves risk -- for all sides. It could become a pretext for accelerated Israeli actions on the ground that could hasten the demise of the two-state solution, as well as the application of sanctions on the Palestinians. It could cost the Palestinians desperately needed American and international financial and political assistance. Moreover, it could strengthen rejectionists --Palestinians and Israelis alike -- who oppose peace negotiations and a two-state solution and who welcome confrontation and violence as a means of closing the door to both.

There are also risks for the United States and Israel. A crisis at the U.N. over Palestine would exacerbate the growing U.S. and Israeli isolation on the issue. U.S. credibility will take a hit if Washington is seen, once again, to be opposing a resolution that is consistent with longstanding U.S. policy; Israel could find itself in an awkward position, given that it was the U.N. that gave birth to Israel after Israel's founders went to that same body with their own demand for recognition. However unlikely, it is conceivable that U.N. action could even pave the way for sanctions and multilateral enforcement efforts against Israel and its citizens.

But simply condemning the Palestinians and demanding that they desist, while browbeating other countries to get into line with the U.S. and Israel, is not an especially smart or effective counter-strategy. To push the Palestinian leadership in a different direction, the Palestinians must be offered a serious alternative way forward. Given Netanyahu's uncompromising May 2011 speech to the U.S. Congress and continued settlement expansion, do they have any reason to believe that negotiations offer such a route?

Whether people think it is a good idea or not, the Palestinians have the right to take their case to the U.N. Opposition to the U.N. strategy must directly address difficult questions. Is their U.N. initiative consistent with longstanding U.S. policy regarding permanent status issues? Is it consistent with a negotiated agreement that can resolve the conflict? Do the Palestinians have meaningful alternatives?

The U.N. option doesn't represent, as some would suggest, a Palestinian betrayal of the peace process or a rejection of a negotiated resolution to the conflict. Rather, it reflects the almost universally acknowledged loss of credibility of the current negotiating effort. It reveals the Palestinians' understandable conclusion that, as things stand today, negotiations will never end the occupation or deliver statehood. It discloses the Palestinians' quite understandable fear that the situation is nearing a tipping point, after which expansion of settlements and settlement-related infrastructure in the West Bank and East Jerusalem will make the two-state solution unworkable.

While the Palestinians' decision to appeal to the U.N. reflects the failure of the peace process, the U.N. effort itself contains some extremely constructive -- and largely overlooked -- elements, like the fact that the U.N. effort appears to be predicated on a continued Palestinian commitment to the two-state solution and to a permanent status agreement that is consistent with longstanding U.S. positions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Israeli Peace Initiative. And the point that is perhaps most important, is the fact that the entire effort reflects the Palestinian leadership's continued determination to achieve progress through non-violent means. These elements should be welcomed and embraced, rather than dismissed in the zeal to attack the Palestinians for their U.N. strategy.

7. CUFI on the Hill

Christians United for Israel (CUFI), led by the (in some circles) infamous Rev. Hagee, was in Washington this week (Mon-Weds) for their 2011 Washington Summit. A good video report on the events, from Russia Today, can be viewed here. The events were also covered in the Jerusalem Post, here.

The event featured prominent members of the American Jewish community (from AIPAC, WINEP, and the Conference of Presidents), members of Congress, and well-known right-wing ideologues.

Monday's opening plenary featured Rev. Hagee - CUFI founder and chairman, Dennis Prager - Nationally syndicated radio host, and Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT).

A breakout panels entitled "Israel 101 - The Basics of the Arab-Israeli Conflict" featured Gary Bauer - President of American Values; Jeff Mendelsohn - AIPAC; and Susan Michael - U.S. director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Another breakout session entitled "Myths and Facts:  Refuting the Negative Myths About Israel" featured IDF Colonel Ben Tzion (Bentzi) Gruber; Jonathan Schanzer - Foundation for Defense of Democracies; and Erick Stakelbeck - Correspondent/Terrorism Analyst on Christian Broadcast News.

Another breakout session entitled "Christian Zionism: Its History and Importance" featured David Brog - Executive Director of Christians United for Israel; Cheryl Morrison - Director of Women's Ministries and Israel Outreach at Faith Bible Chapel; and Pastor Victor Styrsky - Eastern Regional Coordinator of CUFI. Another breakout session entitled "Israel 201 - How to be an effective Israel Advocate" featured Jonathan Kessler - AIPAC; Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi - The Israel Project; and Frank Luntz - Professional Communication Consultant

Another breakout session, entitled "The U.S. - Israel Relationship - Past, Present and Future" featured David Brog - CUFI; John Podhoretz, Editor of Commentary magazine; and Jennifer Rubin, author of the Right Turn blog at the Washington post. Another breakout session, entitled "The Looming Threats - Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas" featured Frank Gaffney - Founder and President of the Center for Security Policy; Mark Dubowitz - FDD; and Robert Satloff - WINEP.

The evening's Chairman banquet featured Ambassador John Bolton. A report on his speech comes from Arutz Sheva, the settlers' media outlet.

Tuesday featured a Middle East briefing from Elliot Chodoff - political and military analyst; IDF Col. Ben Tzion (Bentzi) Gruber; and Malcolm Hoenlein - Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

It also featured a special address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - Live via satellite. Video of Netanyahu's address (taken by audience member) can be viewed here.

Tuesday's night was CUFI's "A Night to Honor Israel" banquet. It featured Rev. Hagee, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, and Glenn Beck. The JTA live blogged much of the evening here. Highlights of Glenn Beck's speech can be viewed here. Video of Oren's speech can be viewed here (starting at around 3:30)

It is worth noting that CUFI also provided special programming for the 3 days for children, under the name "Camp CUFI." Advertised as open to children ages 5-12, a sample activity schedule included:

10:00 -10:50 CUFI 101 How to Pray For Israel (Craft and Application Activity -Prayer Hand)
11:00 - 11:50 Israeli Dance and Party Games 12:00 - 12:45
12:45 - 1:20 Israel Movie and Entertainment
2:30 - 3:20 Pray for Israel/Children (Craft and Application Activity - Prayer Pillow)
8:00 - 9:15 Night to Honor Israel Jr. - Teaching the future generation the importance of loving Israel

8. From the Archives: Bouyed by Congress, Israel Won't Alter Negotiating Points (NYT, 1975)

St. Petersburg Times (NYT Service) - 5/27/75: Bouyed by Congress, Israel Won't Alter Negotiating Points

Jerusalem - Buoyed by recent demonstrations of congressional support, Israel has decided to ignore repeated U.S. requests that she produce new negotiating proposals before the American-Egyptian meeting in Salzburg next Sunday, according to senior Israeli officials.

In private contacts during the last few weeks, the officials said, the United States has urged Israel to come forward with new ideas on an interim Sinai accord with Egypt that President Ford can carry into his meeting with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt next Sunday and Monday.

But Israel has decided against it, the officials said, partly because she wants Egypt to make the first concession, and partly because of the display of congressional support represented by a letter signed last week by 76 U.S. senators calling for generous military and economic assistance to Israel.

The letter, in the view of the Israeli leadership, demonstrates that there is a limit to the political leverage the Ford Administration can apply against Israel in the course of its current reassessment of Mideast policy.

9. Odds and Ends

Queens Campaigner 7/21/11: David Weprin touts his support of Israel
Queens Campaigner 7/21/11: Ackerman puts weight behind Weprin in race for House seat
The Forward, 7/20/11: Senate Dems to Jews: How About a Little Help?
New American 7/20/11: Rep. Allen Criticizes Plan to Sell U.S. Tanks to Egypt
Christian Post 7/19/11: Herman Cain Promises to Protect Israel


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Don't forget to check the APN blog for breaking news and analysis about issues related to Israel, the Middle East, and the Hill.
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Past editions of the Round-Up are archived and available online at:
http://peacenow.org/legislative-round-ups