-Caveat Lector- w w w . h a a r e t z . c o m ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last update - 02:30 29/07/2004 Democrats call on Sharon to improve relations with Kerry By Nathan Guttman
BOSTON - There is a growing dissatisfaction in the U.S. Democratic Party and in John Kerry's campaign headquarters over the Israeli government's attitude toward them this election season. Sources close to Kerry, including Martin Indyk, the former ambassador to Israel, said they expect a change in Israel's attitude toward Kerry once he is nominated this week. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should make an effort to improve ties with him, they say. Meanwhile, a report on the criticism has been passed on to Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Last week in Washington, Ambassador Danny Ayalon, meeting with Rand Bears and Mel Levin, foreign policy advisers in the Kerry campaign, insisted that Israel is "absolutely neutral" in the presidential campaign. But there have been complaints in recent months from prominent Jews in the Democratic Party who say that Sharon and his people are discriminating in favor of Bush and that makes it difficult for the Kerry campaign. The complaints did not come directly from Kerry officials, but from Jewish activists in the party. Furthermore, former congressman Levin and other party officers said they came away satisfied Israel is not playing favorites. Ayalon said that Israel does not want to be a campaign issue and that "the main mission of the embassy nowadays is to maintain the strong support for Israel by both Republicans and Democrats." Nonetheless, Democratic Party sources said they do not appreciate the fact that American Jews visiting Israel hear from the prime minister and his aides overstated praise for President George W. Bush. They warned that the praise for Bush is being interpreted as hints to the Jews that they should vote for Bush in the coming election. The sources pointed to a series of incidents indicative of Israel's attitude to the Democratic candidate. Among other things, they expressed disappointment that Sharon failed to meet with Kerry during the prime minister's last trip to Washington in mid-April, by which time it was clear Kerry was the party candidate. Indeed, the two men have never spoken to each other. And, they pointed out, photographers were banned from Sharon's meeting in Jerusalem two weeks ago with Kerry's brother, Cameron, who was visiting Israel. They also raised Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's comments to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Olmert said he doesn't know who will win the election, but he preferred Bush. According to the Democratic Party sources, other Israeli officials are also telling American Jews behind closed doors that they prefer Bush. Israeli government sources say that "all in all, relations with Kerry's headquarters are good. There is no crisis or anger, just the concern and discomfort that the Democrats expressed to us." Israelis involved in the matter have recommended to the prime minister's aides that they initiate a phone call from the prime minister to congratulate Kerry in the coming days, after the nomination is official. Others have proposed that Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass be dispatched to the United States to brief Kerry on the disengagement plan. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office reject all the complaints and say Sharon is not interfering in the U.S. elections, just as he does not expect anyone from overseas to intervene in an Israeli election. According to a senior government source, "it's always best to discount such criticism when it comes from anonymous sources. We have our contacts with Kerry, there have been some conversations, we invited him to visit, and made clear he would get a meeting with the prime minister if he does come, or if Sharon goes to Washington - though no such trip is now planned." The source said that only technical reasons have so far prevented a meeting between Sharon and Kerry. Dr. Uzi Arad, a former political adviser to former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said yesterday "it would be best if Israel stay out of the American democratic process. It would be a terrible mistake for Israel if it is perceived as intervening in the American elections." Meanwhile, Israel is preparing for the post-election administration, whoever wins the White House. A working team has been put together at the Foreign Ministry, going on the assumption that whatever the result of the November election, U.S. policy toward Israel will change, since the U.S. will be more dependent on elements in the international arena, and will allow players like the Europeans, UN and Quartet more involvement and influence in the foreign policy sphere. www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. 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