WASHINGTON, 1 August — Two US congressmen sent a letter to President Bush condemning Israel’s recent use of a US F-16 fighter plane to bomb of an apartment building in Gaza City which killed 14 civilians and wounded over 150 people, and questioned the legality of Israel’s use of US weapons for offensive operations.

Congressmen John Dingell, D-Michigan, and Nick Rahall, D-West Virginia, asked the president last week to examine "whether the American-made and supplied military hardware employed in this attack was used in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, US Public Law 90-829."

"I think the letter speaks for itself," David Dumke, legislative director for Dingell’s office, told Arab News.

"We’re in the midst of trying to get a peace process back on track, so it is essential for the US to be balanced and to make sure that both parties do their utmost to create a climate conducive for discussions," said Dumke.

In the letter, the congressmen also reminded the president that in June he "offered a vision of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be resolved in a fair manner, consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, that would result in security for Israel and full sovereignty and statehood for the Palestinians within three years."

It also underscored the need, "through constant coordination and consultation with our regional Arab allies, and the parties themselves," for the peace process to advance under balanced American leadership.

But the main brunt of the letter was to question the legality of Israel’s use of American weapons: "…The F-16’s used in this attack were American-made. We would appreciate an explanation as to whether (the) attack constitutes a violation of the Arms Export Control Act…(which) prohibits the use of US weapons against civilian targets…The use of US weaponry in this manner appears to violate US law. It also damages the ability of the US government to play its role as an honest broker of peace."

Although there has been no official reaction to the letter, Dumke said protocol requires a formal response.

"It is important that both parties have faith and confidence in the US ability to work for peace, which is in both of their interests, and this letter is in that spirit," said Dumke.

Another congressional staffer was more blunt: "It is frustrating if a US law is on the books and there’s an act that is in clear violation — the law must be enforced. If not, it is a clear signal that the US is being one-sided to Israel."

Asked about the recent move my State Department, which put Israel "on notice" over the offensive, and therefore illegal, use of US weapons against the Palestinians — the staffer, who asked not to be named, said: "It would be great if there was anything behind that statement, but I think Israel knows, and most of Congress knows, that given the president’s position on the Middle East, that there’s nothing behind it."

The staffer admitted that if he lived in the Middle East, "I would conclude that the US is completely biased, and therefore cannot be a fair broker. And if the US is going to be a fair broker, an lawful act has to be a lawful act, regardless of who has perpetrated it."

"This should be a time when we should be having an urgent dialogue in Congress about what’s happening in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the dialogue has been very muted," said the staffer.