-Caveat Lector-
>From http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-276281,00.html
}}}>Begin
April 23, 2002
Right puts pressure on Bush to support Sharon
>From Richard Beeston in Washington
THE BUSH Administration, already struggling to mediate an end to hostilities
between Israel and the Palestinians, came under renewed pressure yesterday to
soften its criticism of Ariel Sharon and even consider boosting military assistance to
the Israelis.
While the Israeli Prime Minister faced a barrage of international protest for his
military offensive in the West Bank, in Washington the talk yesterday was restricted
to how the US could help him.
The pro-Israeli sentiment was expressed at the annual conference of the American-
Israel Public Affairs Committee, the main Jewish lobby group and one of the the
most powerful forces in American politics.
Senior Republicans, including members of the Administration, and leading
congressmen from both parties have pledged unwavering support for Israel. The
public declarations could limit Mr Bush’s room for manoeuvre, particularly since
some of the most strident pro-Israeli voices are coming from the right wing of his own
Republican party.
The support goes far beyond simple rhetoric. There are moves in Congress to boost
aid to Israel, which at present receives $3 billion (£2 billion) a year in military and
economic assistance, the largest slice of US overseas aid.
Originally Israel was supposed to receive additional military assistance, along with
other countries in the frontline of the War on Terror. But the White House removed
Israel from the list after Mr Sharon’s incursion. The assault led to angry complaints
from the Arab world that the Israelis were using American hardware, such as Apache
helicopter gunships and armoured personnel carriers, to attack the Palestinian
towns.
In the short term, the public show of support for Israel in Washington this week could
damage Mr Bush’s attempts to mediate. Later this week he is hosting a visit at his
ranch in Crawford, Texas, by Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the author of a
peace plan. The meeting is being watched closely by moderate Arab states, who
want proof that the US leader is serious about becoming engaged and prepared if
necessary to get tough with the Israelis.
But the Arabs may be disappointed. Mr Bush has to temper any criticism he makes
of Israel with domestic reality in America, where public opinion polls still show broad
support for the Jewish state.
In an editorial last week, The Wall Street Journal savaged Mr Bush for his criticism of
Israel. It said: “Suddenly the President who soared by standing on principle seems to
have been replaced by an impostor who lost his foreign policy bearings.”
Mr Bush ignores the warning at his peril. His father, President Bush Sr, infuriated the
Right when he went back on a promise not to raise taxes. He also angered the
Jewish lobby when he froze loan guarantees to Israel because of the building of
Jewish settlements.
End<{{{
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