Only two polls have surveyed American opinion on Jerusalem, but both indicated conclusively that a strong majority of Americans favor Israeli control of the city. The Harris Poll, in 1980, asked respondents for opinions on three options: Israeli control over a united Jerusalem, internationalization, and repartition with Arab control over east Jerusalem-provided in each case that free access to holy sites would be guaranteed. The results are unambiguous : It is evident that majorities would oppose internationalization or repartition. But a sizeable majority supports Israeli control over a united Jerusalem. In 1981, a Yankelovitch Poll asked respondents whether they agreed that Israel has the right to make Jerusalem its capital. The results: Yes-48 percent; No— 17 percent. Support for Jerusalem as the capital of Israel runs three-to-one in favor among Americans with an opinion of the questions. A change in American policy toward the status of Jerusalem would receive wide and deep support from the American public. Statements by key American leaders reflect this popular sentiment and depart from America's official policy toward Jerusalem. President Reagan, first as a candidate and again while in the White House, has voiced his personal preference for keeping Jerusalem "undivided under Israeli rule" with a "Vatican-like solution." Walter Mondale has stated unequivocally that: "The only nation I know of on earth with which we have relations, where our embassy is not in the designated capital, is Israel. I believe that our embassy should be transferred to Jerusalem as part of that capital." Indeed the very fact that these hearings are being held reflect the growing sentiment among many members of the United States Senate to end this affront to the Jewish State and to bring U.S. policy in line with the reality that Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. Your colleagues in the House of Representatives have also introduced bipartisan legislation which calls upon the Administration to take such action. The American public not only recognizes the reality that united Jerusalem is Israel's capital, it also endorses that reality. The American people will support a transfer of their Embassy to Jerusalem. But the United States Government must have the courage of its people's conviction. We urge the Members of the United States Congress to do whatever possible to bring an end to the confused and contradictory policy which has emanated from the Executive Branch for more than three decades. This is a time for realism. It is time to change the policy and transfer our Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. U.S. Policy Toward JERUSALEM The Capital of Israel Sara M. Averick AIPAC Papers on U.S.-Israel Relations Editors: Steven J. Rosen Managing Editor: Fay Randall (23) PREFACE Israel is the only country in the world in which our embassy is located outside the capital city-and purposely at that. How this peculiar arrangement came about, and why it continues, is one of the stranger tales of United States policy in the Middle East. In recent years, sentiment has been building among many members of the United States Senate and of the House of Representatives to end this affront to the Jewish State and to bring U.S. policy into line with the reality that Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. The study begins with an eye-opening review of how the present problem came about. It concludes with the reasons the time for a solution is now. The author, Sara M. Averick, is a specialist on the region, trained at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Her study draws upon a full range of academic and governmental sources, and is the most comprehensive treatment of this issue available to date. > Thomas A. Dine February 1984 |