Conference of Presidents Challenges Arab League:

Will You Guarantee No-Fly Zone Over Gaza That Will End Missiles and Rockets Fired at Israeli Citizens?

New York, April 11, 2011… Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein responded to the announcement by the Arab League that they will propose that the United Nations Security Council impose a no-fly zone over the Gaza Strip.

“It is clear to any but the most biased observer who bears responsibility for the current tensions along the Gaza border with Israel. This year alone, Hamas and its associated terrorist groups have fired hundreds of missiles and mortars against civilian populations in Israel and launched many attacks against Israeli patrols. Will the Arab League guarantee that no missiles, rockets, or mortars will be launched? Will they assure a no-fly zone for these terror weapons? If not, they have no basis to make any proposals limiting Israel’s fundamental right to self-defense. Israel has sought to keep quiet on all its borders, restraining its response to constant provocations.

“Do they suggest that anti-tank rockets fired at clearly marked school buses can be tolerated or allowed to go without response? The IDF has shown remarkable restraint and responded to the launching points and those directly responsible. Hamas and the other groups fire from within civilian populations, using residents as human shields. Their actions constitute war crimes. Arab League Secretary General Moussa would be serving a useful purpose were he to bring these violations of accepted international law to the attention of the Security Council. A state of lawlessness in Gaza threatens Egypt’s security as well. American and other officials have repeatedly asserted Israel’s right to self-defense. There can be no more obvious case of self-defense than ending these attacks against Israeli civilians by the terrorist regime in Gaza,” the leaders said.