Washington
Following Secretary of State Colin Powell’s announcement that the State Department is reviewing Israel’s use of a U.S. supplied F-16 fighter during its attack on Gaza, the Arab American Institute wrote to the Secretary calling on him to enforce the Arms Export Control Act and stem the flow of weaponry to Israel. The letter was signed by AAI Chairman George Salem and President James Zogby.
Complete text of AAI’s letter follows.
Arab Americans were pleased to hear your public acknowledgement today of our government’s review of Israel’s use of U.S. weaponry. Over the years, we have pointed to numerous cases where Israel used U.S. weaponry against Palestinian and Lebanese civilian populations. In each instance, Israel’s use of U.S. provided weapons resulted in civilian deaths.
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) is unambiguous. In considering whether or not to grant licenses for export, the President "shall take into account [among other things whether] the export will increase the possibility of outbreak or escalation of conflict." It is clear that Israel’s misuse of U.S. supplied weapons (including F-16 fighter jets, TOW missiles, Apache and Cobra helicopters, and Flechettes) has dangerously escalated the current conflict.
Following Secretary of State Colin Powell’s announcement that the State Department is reviewing Israel’s use of a U.S. supplied F-16 fighter during its attack on Gaza, the Arab American Institute wrote to the Secretary calling on him to enforce the Arms Export Control Act and stem the flow of weaponry to Israel. The letter was signed by AAI Chairman George Salem and President James Zogby.
Complete text of AAI’s letter follows.
Arab Americans were pleased to hear your public acknowledgement today of our government’s review of Israel’s use of U.S. weaponry. Over the years, we have pointed to numerous cases where Israel used U.S. weaponry against Palestinian and Lebanese civilian populations. In each instance, Israel’s use of U.S. provided weapons resulted in civilian deaths.
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) is unambiguous. In considering whether or not to grant licenses for export, the President "shall take into account [among other things whether] the export will increase the possibility of outbreak or escalation of conflict." It is clear that Israel’s misuse of U.S. supplied weapons (including F-16 fighter jets, TOW missiles, Apache and Cobra helicopters, and Flechettes) has dangerously escalated the current conflict.