Dear President Clinton,

I would like to draw your attention to a matter of grave concern that threatens to cast a shadow over the special relationship between Israel and the United States, which we all hold so dear.

The following headline appeared in Yediot Ahronot, Israel's most widely-read newspaper, on February 11: "U.S Embassy Tries to Mobilize Arab Support in the Referendum". According to the article, senior U.S. Embassy officials have of late conducted a series of meetings with Israeli Arab leaders.

The express aim of these meetings, according to the report, is to pressure Arab leaders to produce a large turnout among their constituency in the event that a referendum is held regarding the future of the Golan Heights, as the Arab vote could prove decisive. In addition, the report states that the U.S. diplomats promised to arrange financial assistance to back information campaigns that will be undertaken by Israeli Arab groups for this purpose. In response, the U.S. Embassy spokesman did not deny this information.

If the information in the article is accurate, this would constitute an unprecedented and intolerable act of gross interference in Israel's internal affairs. I can not emphasize enough the severity of this act, which demonstrates blatant disregard for the most elementary norms of accepted international behavior between states and nations. For over fifty years, the U.S.-lsrael relationship has been based on intimate ties of friendship and mutual trust. There can be no greater blow to a friendship, be it between two people or two nations, than a breach of faith. I pray this is not the case.

Accordingly, I request that you immediately instruct the American Ambassador to Israel and the U.S. Consul-General in Jerusalem, as well as all American diplomats posted to Israel, to investigate this matter, and if it turns out to be true, to refrain forthwith from any and all such activity. I would also like to request that the Secretary of State reiterate publicly America's commitment to refrain from interfering in Israel's internal decision-making process.

The people of Israel may have to face troubling and fateful decisions in the months and years ahead. We have the right to expect that our closest friends and allies will allow us to make such decisions by ourselves.

Sincerely,
Uzi Landau, Member of Knesset

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hocker:

Thank you for your letter regarding the peace process in Israel and Syria. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

In this complex situation, there are several key issues that must be addressed. As you may know, Syria is one of the few countries designated by the President as a state sponsor of international terrorism. The government of Hafez Asad has provided and continues to provide support for the most notorious terrorist organizations. I do not support any U.S. aid to Assad's Syria.

While I would like to see peace between Israel and Syria as much as anyone, I do not believe the United States should be in a position of bribing the two sides with large aid packages in order to secure an agreement. In addition, Israel must not be forced to compromise its security by giving up the Golan Heights. The peace between Israel and Syria must come on its own terms--not because the countries believe that they can temporarily push aside their fundamental bilateral problems in return for U.S. dollars.

By the same token, there are a number of problems in the U.S.-Syria relationship that must be addressed bilaterally. The problems that we have with Syria will not evaporate once Mr. Assad signs on the dotted line. Until we see fundamental changes in the nature of the Syrian regime and its activities, I will oppose any form of U.S. support for Syria.

As the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel remains a vital strategic ally to the United States. However, in the past several years, I have discussed different ideas with Israelis and American officials for reducing both Israel's debt burden to the United States and U.S. assistance to Israel.

Sincerely,
Jesse Helms
Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee

February 2000               - 3 -               Outpost