North Americans on vote

Jewish organizations react to the PA election results.

In a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, Canada-Israel Committee (CIC) national chair Marc Gold extended congratulations to the Palestinian president-elect on his victory in this week's election. Gold observed that, "The election can serve as an historic turning point in Arab-Israeli relations. It is an important first step for the Palestinian people towards embracing democracy, and for the Israelis towards finding a credible peace partner."

In his letter, Gold expressed the hope that Abbas's election "will facilitate progress in Palestinian efforts toward fulfilling the expectations of the performance-based road map."

The internationally endorsed plan continues to serve as the basis for realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, as well as the Israeli yearning for peace and security. The map's core expectations of the new Palestinian leadership include the sustained development of democratic institutions of civil society, and the confiscation of illegal weapons, the dismantling of terror groups and the end to anti-Israel incitement.

Gold assured Abbas that, "The CIC encourages the government of Canada to do all that it can to reinforce Palestinian steps towards democratization, and to help return the focus towards advancing peace for both Palestinians and Israelis."

Hope for real change

Now that Palestinians have chosen Abbas as their president, it is incumbent upon the Palestinian leader to boldly chart a new course for his people that is respectful of democracy and the rule of law, and which renounces completely the terrorist ways of his predecessor, Yasser Arafat," said Frank Dimant, B'nai Brith Canada's executive vice-president.

"We will be looking for evidence that there will be real change and accountability. Double-speak can no longer be tolerated, with talk of negotiations on the one hand, and the Zionist enemy‚ on the other," said Dimant.

"An immediate program by the new leadership to dismantle terrorist networks must be undertaken, with democracies from around the world standing ready to assist."

Abbas must end terror

The election of Abbas presents an historic opportunity for the emergence of a new Palestinian leadership committed to living in peace with Israel, according to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

In a statement, AIPAC leaders noted that, "It is vital for Mahmoud Abbas to take immediate action and successfully undertake the much- needed steps of ending incitement and terrorism, building democratic institutions, ending corruption and ensuring transparency to enable the emergence of a viable Palestinian economy. Abbas will need to distance himself from his own incendiary anti-Israel statements during the election campaign, and will have to implement meaningful political and security reforms, such as consolidating the Palestinian security forces and stopping the flow of money, equipment and recruits to terrorist groups, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

"Only by leading his people in this direction can progress be made toward peace and the fulfilment of President Bush's vision of two states living side by side in peace and security," said AIPAC in its statement.

"Israel wants peace, but must have a sincere and credible partner. Sharon's historic disengagement plan to turn over the Gaza Strip and more than 300 contiguous square miles of the West Bank, an area more than twice the size of the Gaza Strip, to the Palestinian Authority is an immediate and further opportunity for the new Palestinian leadership to prove its credibility, willingness to work with Israel and its desire to make progress toward ending the violence directed at Israelis.

"Israel has always been willing to make tremendous sacrifices and take significant risks to achieve a lasting and secure peace with her neighbors. Hopefully, Mahmoud Abbas will now lead his people away from hatred and terrorism, finally providing the Israelis with a credible and sincere partner for peace."

^TOP