U.S. Decision to Establish Dialogue With the PLO

Given the PLO’s rejection of terrorism, acceptance of U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 and its recognition of the right of Israel to exist in peace and security, the United States government must carefully monitor PLO activities in order that their actions now conform to Arafat’s statements.

By adopting this initiative, the United States has important and new responsibilities for seeking an end to PLO terrorism against Israel, and for insisting that the PLO take immediate steps to end the intifada as an affirmation of its commitment to promoting peace. The State Department must press for direct negotiations between Palestinian leadership and Israel while encouraging moderate Arab states to step forward in recognizing Israel’s right to exist within secure and recognized borders.

This is the appropriate moment to remind the international community that for 40 years Israel has sought partners in the peace process and has established, through the Camp David accords, a record of seeking to establish avenues for peace.

It is necessary to allay Israeli concerns bred by 40 years of terrorism and warfare. Accordingly, our government must seek to incorporate the following concepts within its policy demands of the PLO:

1. The revocation of the PLO’s covenant calling for the destruction of Israel.

2. The immediate repeal of U.N. Resolution 3379, equating Zionism with racism, and other such U.N. actions that have served to isolate and misrepresent Israel.

3. The necessity of maintaining a strong and vital state of Israel.

STEVEN F. WINDMUELLER

Executive Director

Community Relations Committee

Jewish Federation Council

of Greater Los Angeles