Schumer: Israel won't suffer if Iran, Syria are in coalition

NEW YORK (September 28) - Updating Jewish community leaders on Washington's efforts against terrorism, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) discussed the possible inclusion of Iran and Syrian in President George W. Bush's anti-terror coalition and sought to reassure leaders that Israel's security will not suffer as a result of the coalition.

"They say they're not going to look at their action backward but look at their action forward," said Schumer of Iran and Syria, listed by the US as state sponsors of terror.

"If they don't [stop supporting terror,] we will still go after them," said Schumer. He said he is confident that Israeli leaders would back any coalition make-up.

When asked whether US support for Israel was being blamed for the September 11 attacks, Schumer said, "I have not seen any sentiment as to say, 'Hey, Israel is the problem, let's draw away from Israel and that will stop the problem.'

"The Bin-Ladens of the world hate us. If there was no Israel, they would still hate us. The US, as best I can tell has not twisted Israel's arm in a way that would endanger Israel's security."

The effect of the country's strengthened resolve against terror on Israel and the Palestinians remains unclear, though one possibility is a short-term "cold peace," said Schumer.

"I do think it's important to us to make clear that Arafat has pursued the same kind of terrorism that we have been subject to," he said.

"The people who went in to the [Dolphinarium] night club, the [Sbarro] pizza place did the same exact thing as the hijackers did. It's not the goals of the terrorists that classify them as terrorists, but their means, and their means are the same," he said.

Queried about the exclusion of anti-Israel terror groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad from Bush's executive order this past Monday that froze the assets of 27 individuals and organizations suspected of terrorist involvement, Schumer said, "I haven't seen those news reports. Clearly to me, both Islamic Jihad and Hamas are terrorist organizations, and I think they should not be removed from any scrutiny, actions, whatever."