First Round

Taking The Call

M

she said. "We have a role
minutes after .
to play and are doing
Israeli Prime
everything possible to
Minister Ehud
support Abbas's step for-
Olmert finished speaking to
ward away from llamas."
Congress on May 24, U.S. Sen.
According to a
Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich,
Washington Post story
called me for a conversation.
that morning, Israel's
This is an election year
chief of staff, Gen. Dan
and, say what you will about
Halutz, said that eco-
a candidate's attempt to get
nomic sanctions on the
in the paper, when a senator
P.A. following llamas'
seeks to chat, you take the call.
election victory would not topple its
Stabenow noted that in Olmert's
government nor diminish support for
first address as prime minister, his
radical Islamic movement.
"beautifully delivered" speech to
I asked for her thoughts, and if
Congress "spoke very clearly about
Congress will consider a change.
both what needs to be done to stand
"I'm one of the co-sponsors of the
up against terrorism, and to stand up
for the Israeli people in terms of safety Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act that
will withhold funding to the Hamas-
and security. He also was extremely
led government but would support
effective in talking about peace."
. In his speech, Olmert said, "I extend efforts to NGOs for humanitarian aid:'
my hand in peace to -Mahmoud Abbas she said.
... we are willing to negotiate
with a Palestinian Authority.
This authority must renounce
terrorism, dismantle the ter-
rorist infrastructure, accept
previous agreements and
commitments and recognize
the right of Israel to exist."
Stabenow said, "He can't
reach out to llamas as long as
their charter includes the fact
that Israel should not exist
and they are terrorist-based,
but he is reaching out, which
is very positive'
I posed the all-too-true
Stabenow greets Olmert before his speech.
scenario of an unpopular -
president speaking to a newly
I asked the senator how pro-Israel
elected but unproven prime minister
views and Olmert's upcoming "uni-
about possibly negotiating with an
lateral actions" in the West Bank will
unpopular Palestinian president in a
be perceived among a large block of
government led by terrorists.
I said Steven King couldn't come up Arab-American voters in Michigan.
"First of all, I support a Palestinian
with a scarier idea for a novel.
state and Palestinians being able to
"On the surface, this looks like the
live and work in peace and receive
worst situation, but maybe in some
ways it will propel some people to step humanitarian assistance from us, but
my position concerning Israel and
forward and lead because it is so bad;'
opposing llamas is very clear:' she
she said. "For Abbas, in many ways
said. "I have a wonderful working
this is his moment. I think that the
new prime minister of Israel has given relationship with [Arab-Americans]
and respect for them, but that does
him an invitation and an opportunity,
not change my position as it relates
and frankly, I pray he takes it."
If it moves toward negotiation, what to supporting Israel's right to exist, be
successful and live in peace' ❑
is the U.S. involvement, I asked.
"We have to clearly be there as a
supporter of peace, an opponent of
terrorism and sending a message that Harry Kirsbaum's e-mail address is
we will support both entities in peace hkirsbaum@thejewishnews.com.

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