By Munir K. Nasser
Chief Correspondent, Washington, DC
Albawaba.com
Over 70 US senators urged President Clinton on Friday to voice the United States' support for Israel and to “condemn Palestinian violence,” saying it may be the best way to help restore the Middle East peace process.
The senators said in a letter they wrote to Clinton: "We are deeply concerned at the continuing, coordinated campaign of Palestinian violence. That campaign leads us to believe that Arafat either seeks to use violence as a negotiating tool to extort even further concessions from the government of Israel, or that he, in fact, intends to end the peace process in its entirety as a prelude to unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood."
The senators called upon Clinton "to express American solidarity with Israel at this crucial moment, to condemn the Palestinian campaign of violence, to do everything possible to secure the return of the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers from Lebanon, and to stand with Israel in international arenas — not only because we should, but because such actions are also the best way to restore the negotiating process."
Meanwhile, Arab and Muslim American groups held angry demonstrations on Friday in front of the White House, the State Department, and the Israeli Embassy to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
With their chanting echoing in the corridors of the White House and the State Department, the protesters held Palestinian flags and signs that said, "Israel is a Racist Government," and "Israel Kills Children." Another read "Your Tax $$ In Action" over a picture of 12-year-old Mohammed Al Durrah, who was killed by Israeli bullets, while hunched in fear in his father's lap.
The crowds shouted angry slogans saying: “Barak, Barak, what do you say? How many kids you killed today?” and : "No Justice, No Peace! No Jerusalem! No Peace!"
At noontime, crowds prayed on the sidewalk of the White House and listened to Johari Abdul Malik, prayer leader of the Howard University Muslim community. "It's our responsibility and duty to wake up America," Malik said to the Muslims sitting on prayer rugs.
"Your money, billions of dollars every year, goes to support Israel. We need to force our government to stop supporting the government of Israel."
Meanwhile, a US police SWAT team stood on alert to stop any clashes between the Arab American demonstrators and a pro-Israel rally in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House.
An estimated 2,000 Jewish protesters gathered for a noontime rally to show solidarity with Israel. The Jewish crowd was sprinkled with Israeli flags and signs, some saying: "President Clinton: Don't Press Israel to Reward Rioters!" and "Arafat Kills Peace! Israel Don't Give In!"
Several speakers recalled the deaths of two Israeli soldiers In Ramallah on Thursday and blamed Arafat fro the violence. Among the speakers at the rally were Congressman Robert Wexler, Senator Gordon Smith and Senator Arlen Specter.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
