American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee

Over the past eleven months, Israeli death squads have assassinated over fifty Palestinian political leaders and activists. In most of these attacks, Israeli military personnel used American supplied weapons in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention and in direct violation of US laws. The Arms Export Control Act stipulates that American-supplied weapons may only be used for internal security and legitimate self-defense purposes.

For months ADC has been strongly urging the US government to investigate this patently illegal use of American-made arms by Israel. Several weeks ago State Department Spokesperson Richard Boucher told journalists that although the United States strongly condemns Israel's death squad activities, no formal investigation of the illegal use of US made weapons was underway. A few days ago, Israeli officials claimed that the United States had never raised the issue in any way with Israel.

However, recent reports from ABC News and other sources suggest that "The United States has told Israel that a report may have to be sent to Congress indicating it is improperly using American-made weapons for killing Palestinian leaders." Clearly progress on this issue is being made and it is all the more imperative that we redouble our efforts to convince the Administration to enforce US law and prevent Israel from using American-made weapons to murder Palestinian leaders and activists.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Please visit ADC.org's page on this letter-writing campaign at <http://capwiz.com/adc/issues/alert/?alertid=48626&type=CU&azip=> and click on the "Go" button. From there you can send a text prepared by ADC, or your own message, to the President and Secretary of State demanding action be taken against Israel for these assassinations. Original letters carry more weight, but the ADC text is a fine alternative. Letters can also be sent to the President at <president@whitehouse.gov> and the Secretary of State at <secretary@state.gov>. Please help to generate as many letters as possible on this important issue.

TEXT OF ADC'S SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear President Bush and Secretary Powell:

Over the past eleven months, Israeli death squads have assassinated over fifty Palestinian Political leaders and activists under the guise of combating terrorism. At least ten bystanders, including children, have also been among the victims of these attacks.

In most of these attacks, Israeli security and military personnel used American-made and supplied weapons in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and in direct violation of United States laws. The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) stipulates that American-supplied weapons may only be used for internal security and legitimate self-defence purposes. American law also prevents the assassination of political leaders by state agencies and personnel. Therefore, the U.S. government cannot continue to stand idly by while Israel proceeds to violate Palestinian human rights with impunity by using U.S.-made weapons in violation of American and international laws.

We strongly urge you to investigate this patently illegal use of American-made arms by Israel pursuant to the formal determination by the U.S. State Department regarding Israel's non-compliance with American laws and to inform Congress promptly of any such violations, as stipulated by the AECA. The Bush Administration must ensure total compliance with U.S. laws by all recipients of U.S. foreign assistance, including Israel.

MORE BACKGROUND FROM ABC NEWS:

http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/world/dailynews/israelweapons_010828.html

U.S. Weapons Come with Strings Attached Israel Told Its Use of U.S.-made Arms on Palestinians May Violate Law

Aug. 28 The United States has told Israel that a report may have to be sent to Congress indicating it is improperly using American-made weapons for killing Palestinian leaders, a senior State Department official told ABCNEWS today.

The Arms Export Control Act requires that U.S.-supplied weapons obtained by foreign countries be used only for "legitimate self-defense." In the event of substantial violations, the executive branch is required to notify Congress.

Congress would have to decide if it wanted to impose some sort of punishment.

Palestinians argue recent attacks by helicopters and fighter aircraft were offensive operations. The Israeli government contends they were defensive, targeting the planners of recurring terror attacks against Israel citizens.

No Determination Yet

So far, the U.S. government has not decided whether American arms are being misused.

"We have not made any determination or decisions that the provisions of the law might have been violated," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

He noted the act also permits use of U.S. weapons for "internal security."

Boucher said U.S. officials were not urging the Israelis to stop using U.S. weapons for the killings, per se, but rather, to stop the attacks altogether.

"The focus of our discussions with the Israelis is on calming the situation and ending the violence. That remains the subject of discussion," he said.

But he added, "We do think that the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas runs a high risk of civilian casualties, and we have been opposed to it."

Pressure on the U.S. for Action

The issue has become an increasingly thorny one for the United States government, drawing increased condemnation from Arab countries.

"It does have a negative factor in the region, when the Arabs equate Israeli killings with the United States," says Robert Malley of the Center for Middle East Peace.

The United States is the principal supplier of weapons to Israel, providing some $5.2 billion in arms over the last four years, financed largely by annual grants of military aid by Congress. Such weapons include F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and attack helicopters.

In recent days, senior U.S. officials, including President Bush, have used increasingly stronger language to urge the Israelis to stop the targeted killings, arguing that they undermine efforts to make peace between the two sides and hamper efforts to prevent an all-out Middle East war from raging.

But those admonitions went ignored Monday, when U.S.-made Apache helicopters were used to target and kill a senior Palestinian activist.

ABCNEWS' Martha Raddatz at the State Department and David Ruppe contributed to this report.

	30 August 2001
	Join Letter-Writing Campaign Against Israeli Death Squads' Use of US Weapons

	Over the past eleven months, Israeli death squads have assassinated over fifty Palestinian political leaders and activists. In most of these attacks, Israeli military personnel used American supplied weapons in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention and in direct violation of US laws. The Arms Export Control Act stipulates that American-supplied weapons may only be used for internal security and legitimate self-defense purposes. For months ADC has been strongly urging the US government to investigate this patently illegal use of American-made arms by Israel. Several weeks ago State Department Spokesperson Richard Boucher told journalists that although the United States strongly condemns Israel's death squad activities, no formal investigation of the illegal use of US made weapons was underway. A few days ago, Israeli officials claimed that the United States had never raised the issue in any way with Israel. However, recent reports from ABC News and other sources suggest that "The United States has told Israel that a report may have to be sent to Congress indicating it is improperly using American-made weapons for killing Palestinian leaders." Clearly progress on this issue is being made and it is all the more imperative that we redouble our efforts to convince the Administration to enforce US law and prevent Israel from using American-made weapons to murder Palestinian leaders and activists. ACTION REQUESTED: Please visit ADC.org's page on this letter-writing campaign at <http://capwiz.com/adc/issues/alert/?alertid=48626&type=CU&azip=> and click on the "Go" button. From there you can send a text prepared by ADC, or your own message, to the President and Secretary of State demanding action be taken against Israel for these assassinations. Original letters carry more weight, but the ADC text is a fine alternative. Letters can also be sent to the President at <president@whitehouse.gov> and the Secretary of State at <secretary@state.gov>. Please help to generate as many letters as possible on this important issue. TEXT OF ADC'S SAMPLE LETTER: Dear President Bush and Secretary Powell: Over the past eleven months, Israeli death squads have assassinated over fifty Palestinian Political leaders and activists under the guise of combating terrorism. At least ten bystanders, including children, have also been among the victims of these attacks. In most of these attacks, Israeli security and military personnel used American-made and supplied weapons in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and in direct violation of United States laws. The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) stipulates that American-supplied weapons may only be used for internal security and legitimate self-defence purposes. American law also prevents the assassination of political leaders by state agencies and personnel. Therefore, the U.S. government cannot continue to stand idly by while Israel proceeds to violate Palestinian human rights with impunity by using U.S.-made weapons in violation of American and international laws. We strongly urge you to investigate this patently illegal use of American-made arms by Israel pursuant to the formal determination by the U.S. State Department regarding Israel's non-compliance with American laws and to inform Congress promptly of any such violations, as stipulated by the AECA. The Bush Administration must ensure total compliance with U.S. laws by all recipients of U.S. foreign assistance, including Israel. MORE BACKGROUND FROM ABC NEWS: http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/world/dailynews/israelweapons_010828.html U.S. Weapons Come with Strings Attached Israel Told Its Use of U.S.-made Arms on Palestinians May Violate Law Aug. 28 The United States has told Israel that a report may have to be sent to Congress indicating it is improperly using American-made weapons for killing Palestinian leaders, a senior State Department official told ABCNEWS today. The Arms Export Control Act requires that U.S.-supplied weapons obtained by foreign countries be used only for "legitimate self-defense." In the event of substantial violations, the executive branch is required to notify Congress. Congress would have to decide if it wanted to impose some sort of punishment. Palestinians argue recent attacks by helicopters and fighter aircraft were offensive operations. The Israeli government contends they were defensive, targeting the planners of recurring terror attacks against Israel citizens. No Determination Yet So far, the U.S. government has not decided whether American arms are being misused. "We have not made any determination or decisions that the provisions of the law might have been violated," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. He noted the act also permits use of U.S. weapons for "internal security." Boucher said U.S. officials were not urging the Israelis to stop using U.S. weapons for the killings, per se, but rather, to stop the attacks altogether. "The focus of our discussions with the Israelis is on calming the situation and ending the violence. That remains the subject of discussion," he said. But he added, "We do think that the use of heavy weaponry in populated areas runs a high risk of civilian casualties, and we have been opposed to it." Pressure on the U.S. for Action The issue has become an increasingly thorny one for the United States government, drawing increased condemnation from Arab countries. "It does have a negative factor in the region, when the Arabs equate Israeli killings with the United States," says Robert Malley of the Center for Middle East Peace. The United States is the principal supplier of weapons to Israel, providing some $5.2 billion in arms over the last four years, financed largely by annual grants of military aid by Congress. Such weapons include F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and attack helicopters. In recent days, senior U.S. officials, including President Bush, have used increasingly stronger language to urge the Israelis to stop the targeted killings, arguing that they undermine efforts to make peace between the two sides and hamper efforts to prevent an all-out Middle East war from raging. But those admonitions went ignored Monday, when U.S.-made Apache helicopters were used to target and kill a senior Palestinian activist. ABCNEWS' Martha Raddatz at the State Department and David Ruppe contributed to this report.