The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America applauded President Bush’s order to implement the sanctions on Syria in keeping with the Syria Accountability Act which was recently passed by the United States Congress. The implementation of this legislation is a crucial step in the U.S.-led war against terrorism and demands that Syria end its support of terrorist organizations, stop the development of chemical and biological weapons and end its occupation of Lebanon. As President Bush said, “These policies by the Government of Syria directly threaten regional stability and undermine the U.S. goal of a comprehensive Middle East peace…(and) constitute a threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.”

Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs of the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs, said, “We applaud President Bush for holding the Syrian regime accountable for its support for terrorist organizations such as Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hezbollah, and its support for terrorists attacking the U.S. and coalition forces working to bring democracy in Iraq. We thank President Bush for having the vision and determination to strengthen America’s resolve in the fight against global terrorism that will bring stability not only to the Middle East, but to the whole world.”

“We also praise the leadership of Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) as well as the members of the Senate and the House for their near-unanimous passage of the Syria Accountability Act.”