House Majority Leader Tells Arab-American Lobby Group That ‘Palestinians’ and Israel Should Mutually

House Majority Leader Jim Wright (D. Tex.) told an Arab-American lobby group today that there should be mutual and simultaneous recognition between Israel and "the Palestinians."

Noting that Palestinians have refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist, Wright said at a luncheon address to the National Association of Arab-Americans that "at the same time, the Israelis say that the Palestine Liberation Organization is committed to their destruction and refuses to recognize their right to exist as a nation behind peaceful borders."

But, in calling for "mutual acceptance on both sides," Wright was careful to avoid any direct reference to the PLO. He said "the Palestinians must publicly say ‘yes, we do recognize your existence and your right to exist in peace, in a secure border,’ at which the same time the Israelis must say ‘let us sit down’" with the Palestinians.

Speaking to reporters, Wright would not specify who it is that he thought Israel should recognize, and seemed to back away from his suggestion that recognition be simultaneous.

"Ultimately, the Palestinians must acknowledge Israel’s right to exist," Wright said. He added that "at that time, Israel must be willing to talk with their representatives and work out a harmonious relationship." He declined to say whether by Palestinian representatives, he meant the PLO.

The luncheon today was part of a three-day annual conference of the Arab-American lobby group that will also feature Sen. Majority Leader Robert Dole (R. Kan.) and a satellite address by Jordan’s King Hussein.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency was told that this was the first time that a House or Senate majority leader had been scheduled to address a conference of the Arab-American group.