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The Israeli Palestinian Conflict
In the Middle East, especially regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Kerry is as contradictory and convoluted as his Iraq positions. For example, CBS News reports:
In October 2003, Kerry said Israel’s unilateral
construction of a security fence was “a barrier to peace.”
“I know how disheartened Palestinians are by the decision to build the barrier off the Green
Line," he told the Arab American Institute National Leadership Conference. “We don't need
another barrier to peace. Provocative and counterproductive measures only harm Israelis.”
But less than a year later, in February 2004, he reversed himself, calling the fence "a
legitimate act of self-defense," and saying "President Bush is rightly discussing with
Israel the exact route of the fence to minimize the hardship it causes innocent Palestinians.” (38)
Although Kerry has a fairly strong pro-Israel voting record in the Senate, there is 'supposed' disappointment in some Jewish quarters over the appointment of Martin Indyk as Kerry's Middle East advisor. Indyk is associated with Clinton's failed attempt to negotiate with Arafat. The numerous Israeli concessions given during the Clinton administration are now seen as only having increased the terrorist attacks. One wonders if Kerry would have backed Sharon's current 'unilateral disengagement' plan if he was President (now, on the campaign trail and mindful of the Jewish vote, he supports it)? President Bush was vehemently criticized by the Editorial boards of the New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times for this decision. Judging by Kerry's past record of appeasement, his penchant for negotiation, and his close agreements on matters of foreign policy with the Editorial boards of these newspapers, we can only guess what his response might have been... (39)
Both the current Israeli government and the corrupt Palestinian Authority know the stakes in this election. On October 19th, CNSnews reported:
Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority on Monday gave its
first public indication of which candidate it would like to see in the White House next year.
"If [President] Bush wins, he said he would renew efforts to resume the peace process," PA
foreign minister Nabil Shaath told the BBC in London. "However, with the staff that surrounds
him and with his current opinions, it doesn't look promising."
Under a Kerry administration, however, "it would be likely that several staff members during
Clinton's administration would return," Shaath said. "That would be a good thing, but it
could take at least a year before a policy is formulated."
Elaborating on the PA's unhappiness with the incumbent, the Palestine Media Center -- an official PA
institution -- said Palestinians held the Bush administration responsible for Israel's isolation of
Arafat since the end of 2001. "Bush's refusal to deal with Arafat was interpreted by
Palestinians as another "green light'' for Israel to impose and to maintain the siege on
Arafat," it said.
The comments add substance to an assessment last July by Israel's military intelligence chief,
Major-General Aharon Ze'evi, who was quoted as telling the cabinet: "Arafat is now waiting for
the month of November in the hope that President Bush will be defeated in the presidential election
and turned out of his office."
The PA view on the election contrasts sharply with that of Israeli leaders, who have echoed the
words spoken by former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Washington in 2002: "There has
never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House than President George W. Bush."
Other polls in Israel have indicated that a majority of Israelis are grateful to Bush for going to
war against Iraq and toppling Saddam Hussein, a sworn enemy of the Jewish state. (47)
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