Washington Watch May You and your Family Penalty Postponed Be Inscribed in the Book of Life U.S. delays loan guarantee cutbacks for Israel. JAMES D. BESSER This week, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, with support from the World Jewish Congress, formally opened he Bush administration has the Ethnic Congressional Caucus Office, acted decisively on the issue which will focus on bringing together of penalizing Israel for settle- members of the Jewish delegation with ment activity, as required by the Congressional Black Caucus, the legislation earlier this year authorizing Hispanic Caucus and the Asian Pacific S9 billion in loan guarantees. The deci- American Caucus. sion: to do nothing, at least for the time Rabbi Marc Schneier, founder and being. president of the foundation, said the Despite the recent announcement that move was necessary because of "the the State Department was invoking por- changing demographics of Our country, tions of the authorization legislation that which have created a new political envi- require deductions from the loan guar- ronment in Washington." antees for actions deemed contrary to The African-American and Hispanic U.S. interests, a State Department communities, he said, may constitute spokesman on Tuesday said a decision over half the population within 50 years; had been put off indefinitely. the Asian-American community, increas- The administration also put off any ingly prosperous and active on the polit- decision about whether to penalize Israel ical front, are a rising force. for portions of its new security fence "If you survey the Jewish world and encroaching into Palestinian territory, a analyze many of the problems our peo- major bone of contention between ple are now facing, they are often found- Washington and Jerusalem. ed in changing demographics," Rabbi Pro-Israel activists in Washington say Schneier said. the non-decision was a mixed blessing. He cited the case of France, where a Nobody was eager to see news stories surging Moslem immigrant population about Israel being assessed for settle- has been a factor in rising anti-Semitism ments— but by putting the decision off, — a change that France's Jewish corn- the State Department can continue to munity was ill pre- use the threat of substantial cuts as lever- pared for. age in trying to alter the route of the "We want to be security fence. proactive, to begin . Politics may be a factor as well — fostering dialogue with the administration seeking big-tick- and cooperation et contributions from pro-Israel givers, between ethnic now may not be the most opportune communities, so time for slapping Israel with a big fine. that unlike other Schneier A leading Jewish peace group was not Jewish communi- pleased with the decision. "We are dis- ties around the appointed the administration has not world, we won't met its legal obligation to report to wake up in 50 years to find ourselves in Congress about how much money it will a very difficult situation," he said. "It's deduct from the loan guarantee package wrong for us to forfeit our place at the because of settlement spending, " said table." Lewis Roth, assistant executive director Rabbi Schneier said he has had a "very of Americans for Peace Now "We hope positive response" from Jewish members the administration will use the extra of Congress, who have steadfastly resis- time to give consideration to the report ted creating a formal caucus, but who putting the figure at $556 million annu- get together periodically to discuss issues ally." of joint concern. In addition to sponsoring joint pro- Ethnic 0 ce grams, the group's Washington staff will With ethnic politics taking on new urge Congress to convene hearings on importance in the capital, two Jewish race relations and facilitate meetings groups have gotten together to open a between members of the other ethnic Washington office devoted to a single caucuses and visiting Israeli officials. job: promoting coalitions between Rabbi Schneier said he will promote Jewish members of Congress and the the idea that good ethnic relations emerging ethnic caucuses. ETHNIC on page 26 Washington Correspondent ishing you a Healthy and Happ T from AU Your Friends at AUDETTE www.audettecadillaccom BREAK = > THROUGH 7100 Orchard Lake Road, W. 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