The Consulate General of Spain to the Midwest told leaders of the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Jewish United Fund (JUF) that Spain would recognize Israel “once a comprehensive peace was established in the Middle East.” That statement by Consul Luis Martinez-Agullo was challenged by PAC leaders, who had come to register their protest of Spain’s non-recognition of Israel while last month giving an “official reception” to visiting Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasir Arafat.
The PAC group, led by Robert Schrayer, JUF president, and Neil Greenbaum, vice president, told Agullo that a true interest in Middle East peace cannot be reconciled with de facto recognition of the PLO, which is pledged to destroy Israel. “Arafat’s welcome by a NATO member was an unconscionable act, contradictory to the goals of peace,” the PAC leaders said.
Similar concerns were also voiced by leaders of the Midwest Chapter of the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, who further advised Agullo of letters and wires sent to the Spanish Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Llado, by officers of major area firms. Most of these letters made the point that grass roots reaction to Spain’s reception for Arafat would reduce trade and tourism.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
