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America in the Middle East

Israel applauds Bush, braces for pressure


By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
November 03, 2004

With reelection in the bag, George W. Bush will likely redouble efforts to see the realization of his vision for the birth of a Muslim Palestinian Arab state on ancient Jewish lands.

At least that was the feeling among most Israelis Wednesday as the US presidential race drew to a close.

While Israel’s Jews applauded Bush’s victory, most expect his second term to be characterized by increased pressure on Jerusalem to do whatever necessary to reach a negotiated settlement with the PLO.

Israel’s best friend

Bush has often been described as Israel’s best friend ever in the White House, and Israel’s Jews showed their admiration for the man by overwhelmingly choosing him for president as part of an international poll held earlier in the month.

In fact, Israel was the only nation polled that chose Bush over Kerry.

His firm stance against the scourge of global Islamic terror, and his no-nonsense approach to the corruption-riddled Arafat-led Palestinian Authority endeared Bush to the vast majority of Israeli Jews, not least of whom Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Pining for Palestine

But, a report prepared by Israel’s Foreign Ministry and made public Wednesday morning warned that whoever won the US election, Israel would likely endure even greater pressure to negotiate with and make concessions to the “Palestinians.”

Bush’s reelection would be followed by efforts to mend fences in the Arab world, which would result in less friendly relations with Israel, the document stated.

The report suggested the administration would look to boost its image internationally by no longer automatically vetoing anti-Israel resolutions brought before the UN Security Council.

Furthermore, any reduction in “Palestinian” terror – whether brought about by PA actions or successful IDF efforts – would, according to the report, be met with unprecedented pressure to follow a retreat from Gaza with the birthing of a PLO state.

Later in the day, US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer told reporters there was “unfinished business” between Jerusalem and the Bush administration, and that “a lot of work remains to be done” on Sharon’s commitments to the president.

In Europe, Britain’s Tony Blair said prior to Bush’s victory that regardless of who won the election, pushing forward the Road Map “peace” plan must be a top priority for the next administration.

“I can assure you that I will do everything I possibly can to work with the president of the US in order to secure that progress in the Middle East,” Blair told the House of Commons.

Some analysts believe that, in light of Blair’s staunch support in the war on terror thus far, Bush would acquiesce to the prime minister’s program and join more vigorously in the drive toward a Palestinian state.

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