[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1600-E1601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              READING LIST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I recommend to my colleagues this column and 
reading list prepared by Neal Sher, former Director of the Department 
of Justice's Office of Special Investigations and, more recently, 
executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. 
While Mr. Sher suggested these books for summer reading, I propose to 
my colleagues and all Americans that they be read year round.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the text of an article by 
Neal Sher entitled ``A Congressional Jewish Summer Reading List'' be 
printed at this point in the Record.

               A Congressional Jewish Summer Reading List

                             (By Neal Sher)

       By all accounts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 
     received a warm and enthusiastic reception on Capitol Hill 
     earlier this month. His address to a joint meeting of the 
     House and Senate was a smashing success as he was repeatedly 
     interrupted by applause and standing ovations.
       The image widely conveyed--the speech was broadcast 
     worldwide--was that of a love affair between Israel's new 
     leader and the American Congress. Nothing wrong with that.
       Moreover, I am told that Netanyahu's private meetings with 
     congressional leadership also went exceedingly well. The 
     prime minister not only stayed on messages (he conceded 
     nothing with respect to his views on the peace process, to 
     the chagrin of some U.S. officials), but also, his experience 
     with and understanding of our political scene enabled him to 
     impress and charm his hosts. No doubt about it: Bibi's first 
     foray to the Hill as prime minister could not have gone 
     better.
       For those of us who care deeply about Israel, this is 
     nothing but good news. But let's not fool ourselves. The 
     prime minister's reception was part of the obligatory 
     honeymoon period. As Netanyahu undoubtedly knows, it will 
     take much more than personal charm and gravitas to keep this, 
     and any future, Congress staunchly pro-Israel. Although no 
     one can predict with certainty what the next Middle East 
     developments will be, there are enough hot-button issues (the 
     future of settlements, Jerusalem, terrorism) to be concerned 
     about the potential for tension in U.S.-Israel relations.
       To be sure, the Clinton Administration has been the most 
     pro-Israel administration in history. No contest there.
       But the White House is only part of the equation. The key 
     battles are fought in the halls of Congress, where we must 
     not lose sight of an essential fact of political life: The 
     pro-Israel agenda needs constant attention and nurturing. 
     This becomes clear when one analyzes the makeup of Congress: 
     well over 50 percent of members have been elected within the 
     last six years, and that number is certain to grow after 
     November.
       More critically, the overwhelming majority were born after 
     the Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel. We 
     know these to be turning points in the history of our people; 
     our legislators may view them as simply historical events 
     with which they cannot identify.
       Although that is understandable, the fact remains that many 
     of our lawmakers lack a crucial historical perspective. 
     Dwindling is the number of veteran members who lived through 
     World War II and/or the tough formative years of Israel's 
     existence. Their support for Israel was much more from the 
     ``gut,'' as we say; they felt it in their kishkas.
       This void of historical and emotional background among the 
     younger members can be filled only through constant attention 
     and education by the pro-Israel community. To that end, I 
     would like to respectfully recommend to members of Congress--
     as they prepare to leave Washington from the summer recess--a 
     few books for vacation reading. There is, of course, a great 
     wealth of material on Israel and Jewish history and, no 
     doubt, every reader has his or her own favorites. My 
     suggestions are, I believe, excellent starting points because 
     they are not only powerful resources, they are good reads as 
     well.

[[Page E1601]]

       The Abandonment of the Jews, by David Wyman. A riveting, 
     impeccably researched book that documents the utter failure 
     of the American government to undertake any serious or 
     meaningful efforts to rescue the Jews of Europe until the 
     World War II was nearly over. The duplicitous role of State 
     Department officials--who simply did not want an influx of 
     Eastern European Jews--is set forth in infuriating detail. 
     Wyman also describes how the U.S. Jewish community, which 
     lacked political sophistication and clout, failed to mount 
     any effective effort in this life-and-death struggle.
       Night, by Elie Wiesel. An overpowering personal account of 
     the unthinkable by the man I believe to be the moral 
     conscience of our times.
       Survival of Auschwitz, by Primo Levi. Levi, an Italian 
     chemist who took his own life several years ago, provides one 
     of the most moving and powerful accounts of the Holocaust.
       Jews, God and History, by Max I. Dimont. Dimont tells the 
     story of our people throughout history and how Jews have made 
     major contributions to every society in which they have 
     lived.
       The Siege, by Connor Cruise O'Brien. An enlightening and 
     effective book about Israel and the myriad of conflicts and 
     difficulties she has confronted (and still confronts).
       Exodus, by Leon Uris. For my money, no reading list such as 
     this one is complete without this classic.
       Finally, for those interested in history, justice and 
     intrigue, I must recommend The House on Garibaldi Street, 
     which recounts the capture of Adolf Eichmann. The kidnapping 
     put the Mossad on the map, and the Eichmann trial helped 
     legitimize the Israeli legal system in the eyes of the world. 
     Written by Isser Harel, the legendary Mossad Chief who 
     directed this daring operation, it reads like a mystery 
     novel. It is, however, the definitive account of what really 
     happened.
       By the way, although my list is offered for Congress, you 
     also cannot go wrong with any of these selections. At a time 
     when there is so much lamenting about the future of our 
     people, we must remember the past.

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