FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS COMMENDS PRESIDENT BUSH ON OPENING REMARKS AT ANNAPOLIS CONFERENCE

In reaction to President Bush’s opening session at the Annapolis Peace Conference, the following statement was issued by the leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (aka: the “Orthodox Union”) the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization in the United States:

The Orthodox Union commends President Bush on his opening address at the Annapolis Conference, which reinforced many of our aspirations for Israel and for the Jewish people. In particular, we appreciate the President’s support for the people of Israel, and for their desire for a life free of violence and terrorism:

“The people of Israel want their children to be able to ride a bus or to go to school without fear of suicide bombers. They want an end to rocket attacks and constant threats of assault. They want their nation to be recognized and welcomed in the region where they live.”

We also applaud the President for directly placing the responsibility for fighting terror on the shoulders of the Palestinians, and calling for them to stamp out the violence that is the root cause of the region’s instability:

“For these negotiations to succeed, the Palestinians must do their part…They must show the world they understand that while the borders of a Palestinian state are important, the nature of a Palestinian state is just as important. They must demonstrate that a Palestinian state will…govern justly, and dismantle the infrastructure of terror.”

Finally, we were very pleased that the President called for the Arab world to finally acknowledge the existence of Israel, and for reaffirming Israel as the Jewish homeland:

“Arab states should demonstrate in both word and deed that they believe that Israel and its people have a permanent home in the Middle East.”

“The United States will keep its commitment to the security of Israel as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people.”

For further commentary and news about the views and advocacy by the Orthodox Union on Annapolis Conference related issues, please visit www.oujerusalem.org