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June 04, 1993 - Image 38

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 1993-06-04

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

Friend or Foe of Israel
and Middle East Peace?

An Open Letter to the American Jewish Community and the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

On March 29, 1993 the Conference of Presidents,
the highest decision-making body of American
Jewry, elected Americans for Peace Now (APN)
as a member. Was this a wise decision?

THE CRUCIAL QUESTION

Member organizations were faced with one
crucial question in reaching a decision: Is APN a
mainstream organization that really supports Israel
and Middle East peace, as it claims, or is it an
extremist group that is working against Israel and
Middle East peace?

THE FACTS ABOUT APN

A look at APN's record shows:



APN supported President Bush in opposing
loan guarantees to Israel unless Israel agreed to a
settlement freeze in Judea and Samaria (the
"West Bank"), Gaza and the Golan Heights.
Major American Jewish organizations
overwhelmingly supported the loan
guarantees and opposed Bush's linking
them to a settlement freeze.



APN has been pressuring the U.S. and Israel to
negotiate with the PLO and supports the creation
of a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
American Jewish organizations and an
overwhelming majority of Israelis oppose
a Palestinian state.



APN has not supported a united Jerusalem under
Israeli sovereignty as the capital of Israel and has
actually called for the eviction of Jews from parts
of Jerusalem. American Jews over-
whelmingly support international
recognition of Jerusalem under Israeli
sovereignty as Israel's capital and
would never accept APN's policy of
making parts of Jerusalem Judenrein --
off limits to Jews.

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• APN recently elected pro-PLO activist Gail
Pressberg as president. Among her numerous
activities, Ms. Pressberg:

...Participated in a leadership role in a number of
organizations that took strongly anti-Israel posi-
tions, such as the American Friends Service
Committee and the Foundation for Middle East
Peace.

...Wrote an Op-Ed article for USA Today (Sept.
8, 1986) that, while initially criticizing the
massacre of Turkish Jews in an Istanbul syna-
gogue by Arab terrorists as "morally reprehen-
sible," then proceeded to blame Israel, stating that
the "roots" of the attack stemmed from Israeli
treatment of Arabs.

...Was among the signers of a June 20, 1982
New York Times ad that accused Israel of
atrocities in the Lebanon War. The ad contained
wildly exaggerated Lebanese casualty and
homeless figures circulated by the Palestinian Red
Crescent, headed by Yassir Arafat's brother.

SUICIDE FOR ISRAEL

Were Israel to surrender Judea, Samaria and Gaza
in order to create a PLO state, as APN apparently
intends, it could mean national suicide for the
Jewish state. The PLO has never veered from its
charter -- the Palestinian National Covenant --
which calls on Arabs "to purge the Lioni31
presence from Palestine" (Article 15).

By supporting the PLO, APN has revealed itself
as an extremist voice that represents only an
insignificant minority of American Jews. By
siding with those who shed the innocent blood of
Jews in the Land of Israel, APN has placed itself
beyond the pale of moral acceptability.

Several of APN's leaders occupy influential posi-

ININ MI MIS INN MN NMI NES I= MI MM 111118 l

PRO ISRAEL is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt
[Section 501 (c) (3)] organization whose mandate is:

• To promote an understanding of the historical, social,
economic and political realities of Israel and the Middle East.

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I • To support community development throughout the Land of

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Israel.

• To maintain an information and research center on Israel and
the Middle East, with particular emphasis on current
developments.

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PRO ISRAEL

17 EAST 45TH STREET
NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10 017

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A WRONG SIGNAL

The decision by the Conference to admit APN has
sent the wrong signal .to the Administration -- a
signal that APN's anti-Israel and pro-PLO agenda
is acceptable to the Jewish community and other
supporters of Israel.

The Conference is to be condemned for
its action. Those organizations that voted
"YES" to admitting APN have dishonored
themselves in the eyes of their members and
friends of Israel. Those organizations that voted
"NO" are owed a debt of gratitude by all who
support the Jewish state.

Unfortunately, the vote on admittance was kept
secret, so that we do not know how most organ-
izations voted. We do know that the leadership of
all the member organizations was made aware of
the truth about APN before the vote. We also
understand that many leaders did not consult their
members befoie voting to admit APN. It is our
strong belief that, had members been made aware
of the facts about APN, there would have been
broad and overwhelming opposition to admitting
APN.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

We urge all those belonging to organizations in
the Conference of Presidents to find out how their
leaders voted and to let their leadership know
how they feel. Another way those who care for
Israel can express their feelings is to join PRO
ISRAEL'S efforts in getting out the real message
about Israel and the threats to its security. Eg
welcome your support!

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YES! You can count me in! I want to show my steadfast support for Israel by
joining with PRO ISRAEL. I want to help ensure that the real message about Israel
and the threats to its security is heard. Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution
of $ . (Please make checks payable to PRO ISRAEL)

Please print the following information clearly:

Name

Phone (

Address

City

State

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tions in the Clinton Administration. APN appar-
ently believes that it can acquire respectability and
legitimacy in the Administration by gaining
membership in the Conference of Presidents.

Zip

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[ J Send me more information about PRO ISRAEL.

Note: A contribution of $36 or more will bring you an informative newsletter
written by people living in Israel. You will be kept up-to-date on important issues
concerning Israel and, in particular, Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan Heights.

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