In Congress, support of Israel at peak pitch

A flood of new resolutions and bills about to be released on Capitol Hill aims to shape the Bush administration's next moves in the region. One of the most watched will be a resolution by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California and Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky to declare the Palestine Liberation Organization a terrorist group, close PLO offices in Washington, and deny visas to PLO officials.

Others include resolutions endorsing Israel's right to self-defense, new sanctions on Syria and Lebanon, a proposal to cut back military assistance to Egypt, and resolutions condemning anti-Semitism in Europe, where big demonstrations have been held in support of Palestinians.

"Sharon is a man of the West. He's doing what a man has got to do. We will also encourage Israel to back off, but Israel will do what is good for Israel," says House majority leader Dick Armey (R) of Texas, who yesterday introduced legislation that would toughen sanctions against Syria.

GOP leaders in Congress want to avert a direct confrontation with the White House on these issues. "Leadership isn't going to allow anything to move forward that's embarrassing to the president," says Marshall Wittmann, analyst at the Hudson Institute.

Still, Mr. Bush isn't likely to find a Congress as willing to curb its sympathy for Israel as his father. After the 1991 Gulf war, the first President Bush prevailed on lawmakers to withhold action on an Israeli request for $10 billion in loan guarantees for 120 days, or until Israel made concessions on settlements on the West Bank, on the grounds that it would advance the peace process. Reluctantly, Congress agreed.

In the end, the deal did not end settlements or produce peace, but it did prompt deep resentment within the Jewish community and among Christian conservatives. Both groups are reminding today's lawmakers and the White House that imposing conditions on Israel can be costly.

REPUBLICANS are hearing from the Christian right, and Democrats from Jewish groups that have been a traditional part of their base. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which claims 60,000 members, has long been one of the most influential lobbies in Washington.

"There was a sort of apathy before 9/11, but now there is a growing consensus that Israel is facing potential extinction, directed not just against Israel but against Jewish people," says Chuck Brooks, Washington representative for the American Jewish Congress. "Congress is going to play a significant role in funding agreements, approving weapons sales, even in deciding whether funding for the Palestinian Authority is approved."

At the same time, voices urging sympathy for the plight of Palestinians are becoming more restrained. "Before Sept. 11, we were making some real gains here," says an aide to Rep. John Dingell (D) of Michigan, a longtime Arab supporter. "Things have been set back, not only on foreign policy but on things of concern to the Muslim American community, such as racial profiling at airports."

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