Israel and the Quest for Peace in the Post-Gulf War Period

Adopted by the 102nd Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June, 1991

WHEREAS, Israel has been defending its borders and citizens from hostile Arab states and political organizations for its imperiled lifespan, and

WHEREAS, the reduction of the Iraqi military threat and the recent White House peace initiatives are cause for optimism, we are concerned that Arab hostility continues unabated against Israel, and

WHEREAS, U.N. Resolution 242 calls for both Israeli territorial concession and the cessation of Arab belligerency,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that, given these considerations and Israel's legitimate security needs, we still affirm that all negotiations for peace require a give and take through dialogue, between Israel and the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza, as well as with the Arab States.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis:

1. calls for an end to Arab belligerence towards the Jewish State, cessation of the attempts at incursion by Palestinians into Israel's territory, and end to terrorist attacks in Israel's towns and cities, and demands the immediate end of the Arab boycott of Israel;

2. calls upon the Israeli government to freeze the establishing of new settlements in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza Strip.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis look with favor upon a Regional Peace Conference between Israel and her neighbors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon the United States government to use its influence to encourage its new Arab allies to recognize Israel and sit down at the negotiating table, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis commends the Bush Administration's efforts, as well as those similar efforts in Israel, towards arms reduction in the Middle East in a way which enhances the security of the whole region, and supports continued active U.S. involvement in seeking a just and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors and throughout the region.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in any peace settlement, the Central Conference of American Rabbis supports the indivisibility of united Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

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