AIPAC says now is a good time to press agenda with White House

BOSTON -- With both America and Israel focused on the threat of terrorism, American Jewish organizations should seize the opportunity to press the Bush administration to combat groups that threaten both countries -- but delicately -- said AIPAC supporters at their summit last weekend.

"Although we shouldn't stop doing what we're doing, we should have a little bit less of a profile," said Stan Zicklin of Los Angeles, who was in Boston for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's national summit.

Attendance at the weekend summit was three times what was originally anticipated, a reflection of the level of concern about the threats both domestically and in the Middle East.

Major donors who were invited to the conference said they believe AIPAC and other American Jewish groups must stay the course.

"We need to continue to pressure our adversaries, point out the similarities between the United States and Israel, and make certain that evil does not win," said Gilbert Baker of Houston.

Many at the conference believe that America now understands what Israel has been facing for the last 50 years -- the threat of domestic terrorism. But while AIPAC and other American Jewish organizations support America's war on terror, they have concerns about some of the details.

These include what role Israel will play in President Bush's coalition and how Israel's enemies will be treated.

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke out forcefully about feeling pressed by the Bush administration to make concessions to the Palestinians as the White House courted Arab support for its coalition.

AIPAC supporters also worry about the role Iran and Syria -- adversaries of Israel that, according to the U.S. State Department, support terrorism -- will play in the coalition. The Bush administration originally expressed enthusiasm for their participation but since has placed conditions on their alliance.

Voicing these concerns takes tact, AIPAC supporters said.

"There's a fine line," said Jeff Ross of Bellaire, Texas. "We should support the president and what the administration is doing. But in some gentle, persuasive manner, we need to let them know that other extremist groups need attention."

Instead of putting his efforts on pressuring the Bush administration, Dr. Michael Franzblau of Greenbrae said he was leaving for Israel after the AIPAC summit because he believes Israelis feel even more isolated with American attention focused now on domestic concerns.

Franzblau said he is focusing on Israel because the United States is "a huge country with 280 million people that can take of itself."