Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, July 1992, pages 63-64

Waging Peace

By Jerri Bird

The Loan Guarantees

Israel's request for $10 billion in U.S. loan guarantees was dealt a stunning blow when President George Bush linked it to a freeze on Jewish settlements in Israeli-occupied territory. Before the issue arises again, a Government Accounting Office "Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories" makes useful reading. The GAO report confirms that a previously approved $400 million loan guarantee, made in 1991, was spent inside Israel, but, "because of the fungibility of money...other Israeli government funds were made available for use...in the occupied territories."

The transcripts of debates and hearings in Congress also are revealing and offer some great quotes: "I believe the president has laid out the right policy...what he is doing is right, right for America, right for Israel, and right for the cause of peace." Sen. Robert Dole (R-KS). "The critical question here is how can there be negotiations on the final status of the occupied territories if Israel has virtually annexed the territories because of its settlement construction?" Sen. John Chafee (R-RI). "The obstacle lies in the decision on the part of the present Israeli government to put their settlements policy ahead of the need to absorb Soviet Jews." Rep. David Obey (D-WI). The "Report on Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territories" is available from the Foundation for Middle East Peace, 555 13th St. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004, phone (202) 637-6558, fax (202) 637-5910.

Anniversary Issue of The Link

This May/June 1992 issue of The Link, published by Americans for Middle East Understanding, Inc., is a 25th Anniversary Issue featuring 10 writers from earlier issues who have updated their original stories. There is also an index providing valuable resource material. In the issue, Dr. Cheryl A. Rubenberg writes about the success of the Israeli support groups in the U.S. in "institutionalizing" the Israeli cause. In the process, Americans came to believe without question that Israel is "democratic" and to ignore the dangers of a nuclear-armed Israel. She reports that the current Pentagon budget proposal includes such "pro-Israeli items as a grant for developing the 'Hetz' (Arrow) missile, U.S. funding of Israeli research ventures, such as fire-control systems, assault helicopters, the deepening of Haifa harbor, and large-scale American purchases of Israeli-made weaponry." Americans for Middle East Understanding, Inc., Room 241, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, phone (212) 870-2053, fax (212) 870-2050.

Settlements and International Law

Those who share with me a feeling of uncertainty when speaking of the legal aspects of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories and Gaza will find the latest issue of Settlement Watch invaluable. It is titled Israeli Settlements: Against the Law, and explains such terms as The Hague Conventions, the Geneva Conventions, and The Fourth Geneva Convention. Israeli legal opinions are outlined, as well as the U.S. and U.N. views. For those who want source material there are 55 end-notes, but most readers will find the clear and unambiguous analysis of a very complex subject adequate without further research. Virginia Tilley, director of Settlement Watch, explains that "law is only as good as its enforcement...Still, we must remember that, only 40 years ago, many concepts of international human rights with we now take for granted were new and marginalized...." For a copy contact Settlement Watch, 1747 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009, phone (202) 319-0757, fax (202) 319-0746.

Jerri Bird, who lived for many years in the Middle East, is national coordinator of Partners for Peace in Washington, DC.

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