Mr. President. I am pleased to Join in cosponsoring this resolution. which expresses the Senates support for loan guarantees to support the absorption of immigrants In Israel. I have long argued that Israels successful absorption of immigrants is an issue of humanitarian concern. It is unfortunate that the administration has insisted on conditioning the provision of such humanitarian assistance. I agree with longstanding United States opposition to Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. But I do not believe that we should link these issues. for this has the effect of penalizing immigrants for the settlements policy of the Israeli Government. It Is equally unfortunate that the Bush administration has chosen to view the emigration of Soviet Jews as a problem. I believe this emigration vindicates American policy of the last 40 years. It should be viewed as an unqualified success of American foreign policy. And the United States should be doing what we can to help fully realize this success. Soviet Jewish immigration should be viewed as a shared Israeli and American triumph. and a cause for celebration. Instead. thq Bush administration has transformed it into a major source of tension between our two governments. This is deeply regrettable. I believe it is unnecessary. unwarranted. and wrong. That is why I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution. In this resolution. the Senate clearly expresses its alternative view of the recent immigration to Israel. The resolution conveys the Senates belief that America now. has an opportunity to support our longstanding policy by providing loan guarantees to support the resettlement of Soviet Jews in Israel. I regret the Bush administrations drastically different approach. and I urge the President to reconsider his unwise policy.
Keywords matched
emigration immigrants immigration