The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has expressed its concern about an allegation made publicly by the greatly respected Member of Knesset Dr. Arieh Eldad. Specifically, Dr. Eldad reports that the White House has demanded that the Israeli government proclaim its support for the continued funding by the international community of the Palestinian Authority and enlist its American Jewish supporters, including AIPAC, to lobby Congress against cutting funding to the PA. According to Dr. Eldad, the White House threatened to withhold its veto in the United States Security Council of the resolution accepting the admission into the UN of a Palestinian state unless the Israeli government complies with its demands.
The ZOA has consistently condemned the PA for its unrelenting incitement of hatred and violence against Israel and the Jewish people in the Palestinian media, mosques and schools. Among other things, the PA continues to honor murderers of Israelis by naming schools and public squares after them. Several months ago the PA signed a reconciliation agreement with Hamas, whose charter calls for the liquidation of Israel and the murder of Jews worldwide. The PA’s latest tactic of seeking recognition of a Palestinian state in the United Nations is simply one in a long series of tactics designed to delegitimize the Jewish State, not to mention the PA’s UN action is illegal under the Oslo II provisions that the PA signed.
The ZOA supports the bill being promoted by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl) and others to cut off funding to the PA if it persists in making its move in the UN.
Steven M. Goldberg, Esq., National Vice Chairman of the ZOA, has made the following statement:
“We are troubled by the allegation that the White House has threatened to withhold its veto in the UN unless Israel expresses support for continued funding of the PA. Although MK Eldad’s accusation has not been confirmed by the parties and will probably be denied, Dr. Eldad’s accusation is believable. Over the years he has proved himself to be a highly credible Member of Knesset with unimpeachable integrity.
“Second, the behavior of both the Israeli government and the Obama administration is consistent with the truthfulness of the allegation. The Israeli government has issued several public statements supporting the continued financing of the PA. There would be no reason for such pronouncements in the absence of pressure from the Obama Administration; at most the Israeli government would make no public statements whatsoever about a US bill concerning financial aid to the Palestinian Authority pending in Congress. Further, the White House has been vigorous in its efforts to avoid having to cast the veto promised by President Obama. It clearly pains the White House to be faced with the prospect of breaking its pattern of coddling Mahmoud Abbas and the PA.
“We agree with those members of Congress who support the pending bill to halt all funding to the PA if it proceeds with trying to obtain recognition of a Palestinian state in the UN.