Holding Syria Accountable

Washington
n Oct. 5, Israel launched an
attack on Ein Saheb, an
Islamic Jihad terrorist train-
ing camp in Syria. The mis-
sion was in retaliation for the terrorist
group's bombing in Haifa the day
before, a vicious attack that killed 19
civilians, including a baby and at least
three other young children.
On Oct. 6, President George W.
Bush again demonstrated his unwaver-
ing support for Israel, defending the
Jewish state's right to protect its citi-
zens from terror attacks, no matter
where they originate. The president
went on to say that "we would be
doing the same thing," acknowledging
the ties of democracy and morality
that bond the two nations.
Could Israel or its allies ask for a
more convincing endorsement?
After speaking to Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon on Oct. 5
re bcrardin. the attack, President Bush
regarding
unequivocally restated his support for
the doctrine of self-defense: "I made it
very clear to the prime minister like I
have consistently done, that Israel's got
a right to defend herself, that Israel
must not feel constrained in terms of
defending the homeland."

0

Sam Fox is national chairman of the
Republican Jewish Coalition, a national
grassroots organization. His e-mail
address is Press@rjchq.org

President Bush said that the air
tion," Bolton said.
tional weapons and end its
strike in Syria was part of an "essen-
"Syria, which offers physical
illegal occupation of Lebanon.
tial" campaign to defend Israel. For
sanctuary and political protec-
"Syria needs to get the mes-
those pundits and foreign leaders who
tion to groups such as
sage. And it needs to get it
suggest Israel was just lashing out in
Hezbollah, Hamas and
quickly and loudly," said Rep.
frustration, Israeli authorities released
Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a
a map Oct. 7 that pinpointed loca-
whose terrorist operations
Republican from Florida who
tions of the homes of senior leaders of
have killed hundred of inno-
co-wrote the bill, which is co-
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular
cent people, including
SAM FOX
sponsored by almost two-
Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Americans, falls into this cate-
thirds of the House and
Special
within Syria. It also reveals 10 sites in
gory of states of potential dual
Commentary expected to pass that body
the Syrian capital of Damascus that
threat."
soon.
are the political and military offices for
If that was not enough, an
It is clear President Bush
those same terror organizations.
alleged espionage ring at the U.S.
understands Assad's actions not only
None of these accusations are new,
detention facility in Guantanamo Bay
pose a critical threat to Israel. During
of course. Contrary to the interests of
also potentially involves the Syrians. A
the war with Iraq, Pentagon officials
the United States, the Syrian'govern-
U.S. airman arrested in July faces
accused Syria of providing Saddam
ment has long ignored demands by
charges of providing information on
Hussein's regime with military sup-
Secretary of State Colin Powell to shut
the camp and its detainees to the
port, and there is concern now that
down Palestinian terrorist groups oper- Syrian government. Those serious
Islamist terrorists are allowed to enter
ating within its borders — not to
charges have yet to be fully investigat-
Iraq through the Syrian border and
mention terror groups functioning in
ed, but they do not bode well for
put the lives of U.S. servicemen in
Lebanon, which is illegally occupied
Syrian "President" Bashar Assad.
danger.
by Syria.
In September, U.S. Administrator
Just days before the raid on Ein
for Iraq Paul Bremer stated that out of
Sending A Message
Saheb, Undersecretary of State John
the 278 third-country nationals who
Bolton pointed out the Bush adminis-
Fortunately, President Bush has done
were captured by coalition forces in
tration was seriously concerned that
more than simply condemn Syria's
Iraq, the "single largest group is
Syria has continued its ties to terrorist
behavior. With the blessing of the
Syrians."
groups, while maintaining efforts to
White House, the House International
As U.S. Ambassador to the United
develop chemical, biological and
Relations Committee recently
Nations John Negroponte charged
nuclear weapons, notwithstanding its
approved the Syria Accountability Act,
recently, "Syria is on the wrong side of
pledge to sever such ties.
which gives President Bush the power
the war on terrorism." President Bush's
"There is no graver threat to our
to impose new economic and diplo-
firm support of Israel and sharp criti-
country today than states that both
matic sanctions on the Baathist state if cism of Syrian actions, however, leaves
sponsor terrorism and possess or aspire it does not cease supporting terrorism,
no mystery as to where the United
to possess weapons of mass destruc-
relinquish its pursuit of non-conven-
States stands. ❑

from so many places in the world.
From the knee-jerk, one-sided anti-
Israeli resolutions in the United
Nations to the often harsh, tenden-
tious, ignorant and unfair coverage in
the foreign media; from the economic,
cultural and academic boy-
cotts of Israel to the anti-
Israeli divestiture campaigns
on university campuses; from
the vile anti-Israel propagan-
da to the threats to prosecute
Israeli leaders as war crimi-
nals. The assault on Israel is
relentless.

poets, Islamic fundamentalists, neo-
Nazis, anti-globalization protesters and
assorted self-appointed human rights
groups and non-governmental organi-
zations.
Their double standard is obvious.

The Contrast

Haters of Israel single it out for special
treatment, holding it to different crite-
ria than other countries. They make
demands asked of nobody else, scold-
ing Israel for actions no other country

is ever condemned for.
They see what they want to see,
ignoring that Israel is defending itself
against a Palestinian terrorist war led
by mass murderers hell-bent on its
destruction. The slaughter of Israeli
civilians and other
facts don't get in the
way of Israel bashers
who post Web sites
and hold up placards
depicting Israel as
Nazis, placing the Star
of David alongside the
swastika. It makes you
want to vomit in
revulsion.
This is not to suggest that Israel is
beyond reproach. There is plenty to
question and criticize in this country,
as there is in any democracy. And in

This is not to suggest that Israel is
beyond reproach ... Legitimate criticism
is one thing. Virulent hostility is
another.

The assault is fueled by an unholy
alliance of government ministers,
diplomats, intellectuals, academics,

Israel, in sharp contrast to all its Arab
neighbors, the citizens, judiciary, press
and parliament are often highly critical
of the government and public institu-
tions, without fear. Legitimate criti-
cism is one thing. Virulent hostility is
another.
The flip side of this poison is the
unabashed love for Israel of its sup-
porters abroad, Jewish and non-
Jewish. Fortunately, there are many
such friends even if nowhere near
enough. This month, the Christian
pilgrims who came to Israel for the
annual Jerusalem March gave much
more than a badly needed boost to the
city's ailing economy. By their pres-
ence here, they gave a much-appreciat-
ed morale lift to local residents. Too
bad more diaspora Jews don't do the
same. ❑

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10/24
2003

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