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May 24, 2002/Sivan 13 5762, Vol. 54, No. 36
Join the war effortEditorialWe are at war.But although Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld claims terrorist attacks are imminent, we have not been forced to change our behavior. We crowd into restaurants and theaters. We join sellout crowds at Bank One Ballpark to see the Diamondbacks play the San Francisco Giants. We do not see armed guards patrolling our supermarkets or shopping malls. In stark contrast, Israelis - our allies in this war - have been forced to change their behavior, as terrorist attacks have taken an enormous toll on their nation. Israeli citizens are wary of gathering in public spaces. Tourism has slowed to a trickle. The nation's economy has been battered. As Americans, we can at least change our behavior by taking steps to make certain our nation continues to support the only democracy in the Middle East. We can do this by encouraging our U.S. senators and representatives to pass two pieces of legislation: one that would grant increased aid to Israel, the other that would punish the Palestinian Authority for refusing to oppose terror. The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, expected soon to reach the Senate floor for a vote, would provide an additional $200 million to Israel for self-defense. The House of Representatives was scheduled to consider the bill after Jewish News went to press. In response to the current intifada, Israel increased its 2001 security budget by nearly $800 million. Additional U.S. funding would enable Israel to oppose Palestinian terrorism and prepare for potential regional threats. The other piece of legislation is the Arafat Accountability Act. Official documents obtained by the Israel Defense Force show that PA President Yasser Arafat approved payment for terrorist actions against Israeli civilian and military targets. Passage of the accountability bill would place sanctions upon Arafat and the Palestinian Authority until they fulfill commitments to renounce violence and to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Such sanctions might include seizing PA assets and Arafat's personal assets in the United States. As Israelis struggle to cope with terrorist attacks and the prospect of continuing violence, we remain relatively safe and secure. The very least we can do is call the U.S. Capitol switchboard - (202) 225-3121 - to urge our senators and representatives to do everything in their power to protect Israel and punish the PA. We engage in the war effort individually when we stand by Israel, and collectively when we persuade our nation - with its power and might - to do the same. |
