"In 1980, after the United States voted to support a United Nations resolution condemning the establishment of Israeli settlements on the West Bank of the Jordan River, Mayor Edward I. Koch of New York branded Mr. Saunders and four other American diplomats members of an Arabist “gang of five” who, Mr. Koch said, were “in a position to do great damage to Israel.” Mr. Carter immediately repudiated the vote. (He said it had resulted from a miscommunication.)"