Mr. Speaker. for over 40 years. the leaders of the United States have expressed their concern for the plight of millions of Jews around the world who have been subject to discrimination and unjust laws. and denied the freedom to emigrate to the country of their choice. Today. America should be proud that the thousands of letters written by its citizens. and the numerous speeches. meetings and fact finding missions of American leaders have played a significant role in bringing about the emigration of an anticipated I million Soviet and Ethiopian Jews over the next 5 years. In an effort to help Israel finance the enormous task of absorbing these people. the United States should. without delay. extend Israel loan guarantees which would allow Israel to borrow $10 billion from commercial banks. The United States is not being asked to give or even to lend Israel anything. but. rather. would be assisting Israel in its herculean task by allowing it to obtain loans at more favorable rates of interest and with an extended repayment period. Most of these immigrants will arrive in Israel poor. homeless. and without basic knowledge of Hebrew. Loan guarantees will allow Israel to improve its infrastructure. and provide education. training and housing for its new citizens. Israel urgently needs resources to supplement the extensive efforts they have already made and it behooves the United States to help its long time ally in this cause for which it has expressed such an interest. This administration has expressed its concern with the plight of Soviet Jews on numerous occasion. but now. when the United States finally has the opportunity to take a concrete action to assist these refugees and future refugees. President Bush has refused the promised loan guarantees. In effect. he has reneged on his promise and is attempting to use the loan guarantees as leverage on Israel. specifically to link these guarantees to an ending of Israels settlements in the West Bank.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration immigrants refugees