Berman Urges Reagan to Renew U.s.-israel Memo of Understanding

Julius Berman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, has sent a telegram to President Reagan urging him “to renew the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding” as “the most appropriate response to the refusal of Jordan to enter the Camp David process.”

Berman said that response should also include revocation of the ban on the sale of 75 F-16 jet fighter-bombers to Israel and restoration of “the American-Israeli alliance as the foundation stone of our country’s policy in the Middle East.”

The memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation was signed in November, 1981 by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and the then Israeli Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon. It was suspended by the U.S. in December, 1981 after the Knesset voted to annex the Golan Heights.

Berman sent his telegram to Reagan after the Jordanian Cabinet announced Sunday that it would not negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians because of unacceptable conditions demanded by the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Berman told the President, “Four years of unsuccessful attempts to cajole, bribe, beg, beseech, implore and importune King Hussein of Jordan to come to the peace table have ended in failure. Once again the Arab world has refused to accept the legitimacy of the State of Israel and rejected the possibility of peace with the Jewish state.”

Berman said that by renewing the memorandum of understanding and lifting the ban on the F-16s the U.S. “would serve notice to the world that America stands by its friends and supports those who are committed to peace. Such a step would also serve notice that if Jordan expects to retain its friendship with America, it must negotiate in good faith without further delay … That is the only effective way to get King Hussein to talk peace.”