New York – The ZOA strongly criticizes the Bush administration for considering cutting loan guarantees to Israel in an effort to pressure Israel to stop building its security fence. A telegram to President Bush from Morton A. Klein, President of the ZOA, Dr. Alan Mazurek, Chairman, and Dr. Michael Goldblatt, Chairman of the Executive Committee states:

“We at the ZOA find it deeply perplexing that you, Mr. President, reward the Abbas/Arafat’s violations of virtually every aspect of the ‘Roadmap’ by increasing U.S. aid, yet punish our democratic ally and terror victim Israel by considering substantially cutting US aid. We all know that if it were not for the daily terror attacks by Palestinian Arabs, Israel would have no need for a security fence to protect its citizens from being murdered and maimed. Instead of punishing the Palestinian Authority, which refuses to dismantle terror groups, arrest terrorists, eliminate illegal weapons and end incitement, you are considering punishing Israel, which has fulfilled all of its obligations under the ‘Roadmap’ and more. We simply cannot comprehend the rationale behind this new position you are considering.

“Tragically this is reminiscent of the ugly confrontation that Israel and its American supporters had over a decade ago with the previous Bush administration when President Bush, Sr. cancelled loan guarantees promised to the Yitzhak Shamir government.

“President Bush, we urge you to reconsider this abrogation of loan guarantees and avoid an unnecessary repeat of the mistakes made by the previous Bush administration. Israel is America’s best and most reliable ally and should be treated as such.”