Editor: Re: "Gaza withdrawal will aid the cause of Islamic terror."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visionary plan, endorsed by the Knesset, to disengage from the Gaza Strip is a bold and necessary step toward achieving za permanent Israeli-Palestinian peace. In recent weeks the American Jewish Committee has sent a letter to Sharon expressing full support for the disengagement plan, and praised the Cabinet and Knesset approval of the
initiative. AJC also has been advocating for support of the disengagement plan in its international diplomacy efforts, including numerous meetings with foreign ministers and other senior government officials around the world.

Many political and security challenges lie ahead but, together with a Palestinian Authority willing to confront the threat of terrorism, the AJC believes that Israel's disengagement from Gaza may well plant the seeds for a permanent peace.

—Samuel Sokolove, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee, San Diego Chapter, March 15, 2005