U.S. CONG: END ARAB ANTI-SEMITISM

'End Arab anti-Semitism' (YNet)
Arab states with close relations to the United States should end anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement, and increase their commitment to a Middle East peace process, if an upcoming key autumn peace conference is to succeed, a letter signed Tuesday by dozens of American senators said.

Some 77 senators added their names to the letter, addressed to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and authored by New York Democrat Charles Schumer and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham.

"As you step up American diplomatic actions and prepare for a future international meeting on the Arab-Israeli conflict, we believe it is essential that other key players in the Middle East also step up and meet their responsibilities. The success of such a meeting, and ultimately the peace process itself, will depend on the cooperation we receive from the larger Arab world, particularly from those Arab states with close relations with the United States who have not yet signed agreements with Israel," the letter said, hinting at states such as Saudi Arabia.

"Your ongoing efforts to work with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are critical, but so is the support these efforts receive from those Arab countries," the senators stressed in their message to Rice.

Arab states must "participate in the upcoming international meeting and be a full partner of the United States in advancing regional peace, take visible, meaningful steps in the financial, diplomatic and political arenas to help Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad govern effectively and meet their obligations to fight terror," and "stop support for terrorist groups and cease all anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incitement," the letter declared.

Other measures included a call to "recognize Israel's right to exist and not use such recognition as a bargaining chip for future Israeli concessions, end the Arab League economic boycott of Israel in all of its forms, pressure Hamas to recognize Israel, reject terror and accept prior agreements and isolate Hamas until it takes such steps."

The senators warned that "without a sincere commitment from our allies in the Middle East to be partners in this effort, peace in the region will remain elusive".