Bitter fight within American Jewry over Gaza pullout

The US Jewish umbrella group, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, is to hold special meeting in New York on Thursday to discuss whether to publish a statement in support of Israeli prime minister Sharon's disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip. A bitter and contentious debate among the American community leaders is expected. Senior Jewish officials in New York said yesterday that the Israeli government has taken a keen interest in the session, and has arranged for Israel's ambassador in Washington, Danny Ayalon, to give a speech to the leaders. The proposal to publish a statement backing Sharon's policy was brought to the Conference several months ago by the Anti-Defamation League. It engendered serious controversy within the body between opponents and supporters of the Sharon plan. Ayalon's appearance is to avoid the embarrassment to Sharon to be perceived as illegitimate in the eyes of American Jewry, particularly since the Conference's express mission is to guarantee support for the governments of Israel.