Kerry offers hope for an Israel made more dangerous by Bush
by Dahlia Scheindlin
TEL AVIV, (JTA) - Many American Jews and Israeli Americans seem impressed by George W. Bush's putative support for Israel . As an Israeli, I implore responsible Jewish voters who care about Israel : Look at his record over his rhetoric, and you'll see the dangers of his leadership for this country. Luckily, John Kerry's record offers hope for Israel .
I made aliyah from New York and have lived in Israel for nine years, through two intifadas and at least two Iraq scares, masks and all. But I have never been more frightened for Israel 's safety, than under George W. Bush. I have never despaired more of advancing peace, as during George W. Bush's term.
It is difficult to recall a president who was less engaged in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Whether we liked or disliked Bush Sr. and his secretary of state, James Baker's disciplinarian approach, they were involved. Whether one agrees or disagrees with him, President Clinton was passionately committed. During the worst four years in Israel 's history, George W. Bush has done a resounding nothing.
In his first National Security Council meeting, he decided to disengage from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and his disinterest shows: The road map was presented and then forgotten. Bush opposed Israel 's security fence throughout 2003, threatening Israel 's loan guarantees, and then suddenly supported it - coincidentally at the start of the election year.
The same goes for unilateral separation. Prior to 2004, Bush refused to call Arafat a terrorist and insisted he remain the negotiating partner; a former political officer at the Israeli Embassy in Washington noted ruefully that Bush is the reason Arafat is still around.
Some hailed the president's "promises" to Ariel Sharon in April as a victory - yet Bush all but reneged, including regarding the Palestinian right of return, two weeks later. Just last week at the U.N. General Assembly, Bush called for a settlement freeze. Which is the real Bush policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
With the second intifada, many here felt that only strong American involvement would help reach a negotiated end to the misery. To date, George W. Bush hasn't even visited Israel . His policy is an irrelevant mess of contradictions that leaves Israel in despair.
But Bush's actions in Iraq leave the country in danger. Suicide bombings and now beheadings are tearing Iraq and other countries apart
