[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16374-S16376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          EXTENSION OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE FACILITATION ACT

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise to discuss the need for an 
extension to the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, which expires 
tonight, and the majority leader's announcement a short time ago that 
there will be an objection to passing that bill today.
  This is very surprising to me. I was sitting in the Judiciary 
Committee hearings on Waco when I was told about it. I speak today as 
the ranking member on the pertinent subcommittee of the Foreign 
Relations Committee and one who was very concerned about what the 
repercussions would be in the peace process from the resolution we 
passed last week on Jerusalem. And now we are confronted this week with 
a situation that I think, again, has a ripple effect throughout the 
Middle East if we do not take action.
  Mr. President, I think we ought to ask, what will one say, what will 
the Israelis say, what will Prime Minister Rabin say, when they are 
asked the question about why the Congress has refused to continue 
funding Palestinian economic development in support of the peace 
process? Prime Minister Rabin has explicitly asked for this legislation 
on each of his visits to the United States. Not passing the extension 
today, it is my understanding, stops not only the funding but the 
operation of the necessary offices to carry out that funding, including 
one here in Washington.
  What is disturbing is that no one here is even arguing for letting 
the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act lapse. This dispute before us, 
in fact, has nothing to do with the Middle East. It has to do with 
conflicting views about whether or not or to what extent to consolidate 
the foreign affairs agencies of the United States Government.
  This is a legitimate issue. There are strong opinions on both sides.
  It seemed to me we had a process for negotiating this issue to reach 
some agreement. Senator Kerry on our side, the Senator from 
Massachusetts, and the chairman of our committee, Senator Helms, had 
been negotiating. While agreement has not yet been reached, I believe 
it can with continued good faith at the negotiating table.
  Wherever one stands on the question of consolidation one thing should 
be clear: The Middle East peace process is too important to be held 
hostage to disagreements over unconnected issues or to partisan 
disputes.
  I wonder if anyone in this body differs with that view? Do any of my 
colleagues on either side of the aisle believe that the Middle East 
peace process just does not matter that much? Or that it is expendable 
enough to be turned into a political football?
  One of the truly wonderful things about American foreign policy in 
the Middle East is that it has always been bipartisan. Strong support 
for Israel and active pursuit of Middle East peace have never been the 
province of just one party.
  Indeed, this peace process is the outgrowth of the tireless efforts 
of President George Bush and Secretary of State James Baker. It has 
been carried forward with skill and dedication by the current 
administration.
  The bipartisan nature of United States support for the Middle East 
peace process was never more evident than on July 21 when I joined a 
group of my colleagues in cosponsoring Senate bill 1064, a long-term 
extension of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act.
  I was proud to stand with Senators Helms, Pell, Dole, Daschle, Mack, 
Lieberman, McConnell, Leahy, and Lautenberg in expressing strong 
support for continuing America's leading role in the peace process.
  I know, too, that the chairman of the subcommittee on which I serve 
as ranking member, Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Senator Brown, 
also supported the sentiments in S. 1064.
  I ask my colleagues who joined me that day, what has changed? If the 
Middle East peace process was deserving of strong bipartisan support on 
July 21, why is it being held hostage to unrelated legislative disputes 
on October 31?
  I simply do not understand how we can fail to extend this 
legislation. It is so important to ensuring Israel's ability to live in 
peace and security with its neighbors in the future. It is so important 
to protecting a Israel as a Jewish State, to seeing that the legitimate 
rights of the Palestinian people are 

[[Page S16375]]

recognized and eventually aiming for peace and security in that entire 
region.
  I think we owe it to all those who have supported us in that area not 
to abandon our commitments. American Jews know what the stakes are in 
keeping the Middle Eastern Peace Facilitation Act in force.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that an advertisement from the 
September 17, 1995, New York Times be printed in the Record at the 
conclusion of my remarks.
  (See exhibit No. 1.)
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. The ad begins ``Prime Minister Rabin, we know that 
pursuing peace is risky. Not pursuing it is unthinkable.'' The ad goes 
on to endorse this legislation explicitly. It reads:

       . . . We support the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, 
     the United States legislation which enhanced Israel's 
     security by ensuring compliance by the Palestinians with 
     their agreements and advancing economic development in the 
     West Bank and Gaza, to show Palestinians that peace can 
     improve their lives.

  This ad reflects nothing less than the consensus of the organized 
Jewish community in America. It is signed by 29 Jewish organizations. 
Such a broad consensus of American Jews, Israel's strongest supporters, 
should not, in fact, be construed as wrong. I hope we will listen to 
them.
  I did not think we would be in this position where one person would 
prevent this act from being extended and effectively cut off all aid to 
the peace process, all economic development assistance that in good 
faith America has pledged.
  On top of what happened last week, when these resolutions and these 
actions and these nonactions by this body are extrapolated universally 
and particularly in the Middle East, they very often come to have 
different meanings.
  This body went on record in July supporting this process. How can we 
today turn it off? How can we say what we supported in July, we do not 
support enough in October to pass a simple amendment to extend the act? 
Instead, along with ambassadors, along with other treaties, we will 
hold it hostage?
  I think it is wrong. I think it is overkill. I think it is a 
redoubtable action at best. I hope that the majority leader would be 
able to prevail on those who want to hold this hostage to achieving 
goals that are unrelated to the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, and 
that those parties would reconsider. I think it is very important that 
they do.
  I thank the Chair for the time.

                               Exhibit 1

               [From the New York Times, Sept. 17, 1995]

    Prime Minister Rabin, We Know That Pursuing Peace Is Risky. Not 
                       Pursuing It Is Unthinkable

       Mr. Prime Minister, as you continue the arduous journey to 
     peace, know that American Jewry stands with the Government of 
     Israel.
       Overwhelmingly, American Jews say ``yes'' to Israel's 
     current pursuit of peace with security. Every poll reflects 
     this.
       We know there is no alternative to the peace process except 
     continued violence and continued despair. We support your 
     government and its vision of two peoples living side by side, 
     in peace, so that the children of Israel can look forward to 
     the future without fear.
       To bring us closer to this goal, we support MEPFA-the 
     Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, U.S. legislation which 
     enhances Israel's security by ensuring compliance by the 
     Palestinians with their agreements and advancing economic 
     development in the West Bank and Gaza to show Palestinians 
     that peace can improve their lives.
       To road ahead will be filled with obstacles. But to turn 
     back would be far more dangerous. It would reward terrorists 
     by giving them precisely what they want: the death not only 
     of peace, but of hope.
       Mr. Rabin, we say bracha v'hlatzlacha--may you be blessed 
     with good fortune. On the eve of the Jewish New Year 5756, we 
     offer you and the people of Israel our steadfast support and 
     heartfelt prayers in the days ahead.
       American Jewish Committee, Robert S. Rifkind, Pres. David 
     Harris, Exec. Vice Pres.
       American Jewish Congress, David V. Kahn, Pres., Phil Baum, 
     Exec. Dir.
       American Jewish League for Israel, Martin L. Kalmanson, 
     Pres.
       American Zionist Movement, Seymour D. Reich, Pres., Karen 
     J. Rubinstein, Exec. Dir.
       Americans for Progressive Israel-Hashomer Hatzair, Naftali 
     Landesman, Pres.
       Americans for Peace Now, Richard S. Gunther, Co-Pres., 
     Linda Heller Kamm, Co-Pres., Gary E. Rubin, Exec. Dir.
       Anti-Defamation League, David H. Strassler, National Chair, 
     Abraham H. Foxman, National Dir.
       Association of Reform Zionists of America, Philip Meltzer, 
     Pres., Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Exec. Dir.
       B'nai B'rith, Tommy Baer, Pres., Dr. Sidney Clearfield, 
     Exec. Vice Pres.
       Bnai Zion, Rabbi Reuben M. Katz, Pres., Mel Parness, Exec. 
     Vice Pres.
       Federation of Reconstructionist Synagogues and Havurot, 
     Jane Susswein, Pres., Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Exec. Dir.
       Givat Haviva Educational Foundation, Fred Howard, Chair, 
     Hal Cohen, Exec. Dir.
       Hadassh--The Women's Zionist Organization of America, 
     Marlene Post, Pres., Beth Wohlgelernter, Exec. Dir.
       Israel Policy Forum, Robert K. Lifton, Chair, Jonathan 
     Jacoby, Exec. Vice Pres.
       Jewish Labor Committee, Lenore Miller, Pres., Michael S. 
     Perry, Exec. Dir.
       Jewish Women International (formerly B'nai B'rith Women), 
     Susan Bruck, Pres., Dr. Norma Tucker, Exec. Dir.
       Labor Zionist Alliance, Daniel Mann, Pres.
       MERCAZ--Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement, 
     Roy Clements, Pres.
       NA'AMAT USA, Sylvia Lewis, Pres.
       National Committee for Labor Israel, Jay Mazur, Pres., 
     Jerry Goodman, Exec. Dir.
       National Council of Jewish Women, Susan Katz, Pres., 
     Rosalind Paaswell, Exec. Dir.
       National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, Lynn 
     Lyss, Chair, Lawrence Rubin, Exec. Vice Chair.
       New Israel Fund, Herbert Teitelbau, Pres. Norman S. 
     Rosenberg, Exec. Dir.
       Project Nishma, Theodore R. Mann, Co-Chair, Henry Rosovsky, 
     Co-Chair, Edward Sanders, Co-Chair, Thomas R. Smerling, Exec. 
     Dir.
       The Abraham Fund, Alan B. Slifka, Pres., Joan A. Bronk, 
     Interim Exec. Dir.
       Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Melvin Merians, 
     Chair, Rabbi Alexander Schindler, Pres.
       United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Alan Ades, Pres., 
     Rabbi Jerome N. Epstein, Exec. Vice Pres.
       Women's League for Conservative Judaism, Evelyn Seelig, 
     Pres., Bernice Balter, Exec. Dir.
       World Jewish Congress, Edgar M. Bronfman, Pres., Israel 
     Singer, Sec. General.
                                                                    ____


               [From the New York Times, Sept. 12, 1995]

          1,000 Rabbis Agree: The Peace Process Must Continue

       Today, every Member of Congress will receive a letter 
     signed by 1,000 American rabbis expressing ``strong support 
     for Israel's efforts to achieve peace with her neighbors.''
       Never before has so large a cross-section of American 
     rabbis spoken so clearly about the urgent need to pursue 
     peace. Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox--
     from 47 states and the District of Columbia--they call upon 
     Congress to demonstrate ``leadership so that peace and 
     security for Israel can become a reality.''
       The rabbis urge the renewal of the Middle East Peace 
     Facilitation Act (MEPFA), terming it an ``important and 
     effective diplomatic tool for moving the peace process 
     forward.''
       MEPFA enables the United States to play a constructive role 
     in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and to provide leadership 
     in the international effort to assist the Palestinian 
     Authority. ``Furthermore, it is a key element in the fight 
     against terror,'' according to the rabbis.
       As the new Jewish year 5756 approaches, and Israel 
     continues its courageous journey to a peace that will endure, 
     let us pray, with the rabbis, for the peacemakers to succeed.
                                                                    ____

                                              Rabbinic Support for


                                            the Peace Process,

                                               September 12, 1995.
     See peace and pursue it--Psalms 34:15

       To the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the 
     Senate: We are writing to express our strong support for 
     Israel's efforts to achieve peace with her neighbors and for 
     the active involvement of the United States in the Middle 
     East peace process.
       Right now, the Congress of the United States has the 
     opportunity to help maintain the momentum towards peace in 
     the Middle East and to fight terrorism against Israel. We 
     call upon you to demonstrate your leadership so that peace 
     and security for Israel can become a reality.
       The Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (MEPFA) will expire 
     soon. The act permits the United States to play a 
     constructive role in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and 
     to provide leadership in the international effort to assist 
     the Palestinian Authority. As such, MEPFA has been an 
     important and effective diplomatic tool for moving the peace 
     process forward. Furthermore, it is a key element in the 
     fight against terror. As Prime Minister Rabin recently said, 
     ``The solution between the Palestinians and Israel will 
     create conditions that will reduce the influence of the 
     extreme Islamic terrorist groups.''
       In its June 1 report, the State Department points out that 
     ``the United States needs to be in a position to support, 
     encourage, and facilitate the Israeli-Palestinian dimension 
     of the [peace] process.'' MEPFA's renewal ensures that the 
     U.S. will play a key role in advancing peace and in fighting 
     terror. Like the leaders of Israel, we believe this role to 
     be essential. We therefore urge you to renew MEPFA in a 
     manner that both the American and Israeli administrations 
     believe will help further the talks and strengthen the fight 
     against terrorism.
       We care deeply about Israel. We know that this may be 
     Israel's one true chance for 

[[Page S16376]]

     peace, and that this opportunity is fragile. We are deeply 
     concerned about the level of P.L.O. compliance; nevertheless, 
     we are heartened by the progress that, thanks in part to 
     MEPFA, has been attained. At the same time, we understand 
     that reducing our country's involvement or cutting aid to the 
     Palestinian Authority, which has committed itself to making 
     peace with Israel, is not now the proper vehicle for 
     expressing our concern. This is why we call upon you to 
     support peace and let the negotiations continue unhindered.
       In the voice of our tradition we say, ``One does not have 
     the responsibility to complete the task, but neither is one 
     free to take leave of it.'' We urge you to play your part in 
     helping peace grow strong. Thank you.
           Sincerely,
     (Signed by over 1,000 American rabbis.)

                          ____________________