2001 – JPL Letter to Sharon and Bush
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recently said that American Jews must speak out on the issue of Jerusalem. In a speech to members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, Sharon stated that it is the duty of world Jewry to interfere in this issue …
March 2001 – Rabbis’ Letter on Jerusalem to Prime Minister Sharon and President Bush
There can be no question about the centrality of Jerusalem in Jewish religious and national consciousness. The rightfulness of the Jewish presence in Jerusalem is evident to all fair-minded people. That Israel should have sovereignty in Jerusalem should not be in dispute. …
Media Coverage of Letters to Sharon and Bush:
- 21 March 2001 – “Bush Warns Israel’s Sharon to Avoid Adding Fuel to Fire” – Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON–President Bush admonished visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday to avoid provocative acts such as expanding Jewish housing in disputed areas, possibly rekindling the friction that marred the relationship between Israel and his father’s administration. … - 21 March 2001 – “U.S. Jewish peace group warns of Sharon’s plans” – Ha’aretz
Rabbis presented Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his host, President George W. Bush, a petition calling on Israel to take unilateral steps in the territories in support of peace. …
10 April 2001 – “Stop Settlement Construction” – Ha’aretz
As expected, sharp international condemnation rained down upon the government of Israel because of its intention to expand settlements in the territories. The criticism followed the announcement by Housing Minister Natan Sharansky of plans to build 700 new homes in settlements, and the publication of plans for further construction in the territories. …
13 April 2001 – “The Settlement Folly” – Jerusalem Post
The Sharon government’s decision to issue tenders for 700 new housing units in the West Bank is ill-advised, untimely, and foolhardy. In a situation of escalating violence and growing concern over the spread of terrorism, the announcement of the expansion of settlements cannot but add fuel to the fire of the conflict. …