Clinton and Barak Reaffirm US-Israel Ties Amid Push for Middle East Peace

Strategic Insights -

In a move aimed at reinvigorating the US-Israel relationship, President Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak have launched a series of initiatives to strengthen ties between the two nations. The focus of their efforts is a peace deal with Israel, with Clinton promising to contact Syrian President Hafez Assad to encourage him to seize a "golden opportunity" to complete the agreement. As part of their joint announcement, Clinton and Barak pledged to provide military assistance to Israel and included Israeli astronauts in a NASA shuttle journey next year.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Clinton has pledged to contact Syrian President Hafez Assad to stress the importance of completing a peace deal with Israel, which Clinton believes presents Assad with a "golden opportunity".
  • The US-Israel relationship has been reinvigorated, with Clinton and Barak announcing plans to increase military assistance to Israel and including Israeli astronauts in a NASA shuttle journey next year.
  • Financing will be provided for Israel's acquisition of additional Arrow anti-missile systems, which could defend Israel against Iran and Iraq, as part of a package of economic assistance to Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan.
  • The Wye agreement, which was stalled for months due to a stalemate in its implementation, has been at the center of US-Israeli diplomatic efforts, with Clinton seeking to expedite congressional approval for economic assistance.
  • Clinton has expressed the US' desire for more normal relations with Syria, with which it is currently at war, in order to facilitate a comprehensive Middle East settlement.

Statistics:

  • The US has promised economic assistance to Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan, which has been stalled due to the implementation of the Wye agreement.
  • The Wye agreement has been in place since 1998, with its terms including land-for-security and economic measures to support a lasting peace pact.
  • Clinton has said that he hopes to achieve a comprehensive Middle East settlement within 15 months of his presidency.
  • Israel has agreed to the acquisition of additional Arrow anti-missile systems, which could protect the country against threats from Iran and Iraq.
  • 1994 is mentioned as the year Clinton met with Syrian President Hafez Assad in Geneva.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • AP News Service
  • Greg Gibson, Photographer for the AP