Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI has learned from a Times of London, August 1, 2001 report, that Israel “criticized America yesterday for banning warships of the US Sixth fleet from docking at
Haifa because of fears of a terrorist attack.” Herbert Zweibon, Chairman of AFSI, states, “It is the height of duplicity on the part of the United States to condemn Israel for its efforts to intercept
and prevent Arab terrorism while the U.S. runs away from it.” Zweibon continues, “Since the bomb attack on the USS Cole in Yemen last October, 2000, the U.S. Navy, which used to bring 30 to
40 warships to Haifa harbor each year, is now banned from docking at the Israeli port. We believe this is a total betrayal of the special alliance that Israel and the U.S. have always enjoyed.”

A Navy spokesman stated, “If the risk is considered to be too high, then ship visits are not allowed.” Helen Freedman, Executive Director of AFSI asks, “Is it possible for the US to recognize the
extent of the terrorist threat in Israel and yet to accuse Israel of being “too aggressive” in its attempts to thwart the daily menace to its citizens? The critical difference here is that Israel must
stand and fight for its people, its land, its liberty, while the United States can raise its anchors and run away. Americans who trusted in President Bush to keep a hands off policy and allow Israel
to determine what is best for its own best interests must be distressed to discover the double standard now being implemented.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2001 and is filed under opinion.