The World

bias was expectedly most critical. Its
March-April issue was subtitled,
"Israel at Fifty: A Compassionately
Critical Analysis."
Surf the Web and you will find that
virtually every major American news-
paper's Web site contained something
associated with the event — the
Washington Post, New York Times and
CNN. My own contribution to the
CNN Web site, aimed at presenting
the positive side of Israel, was given a
headline by CNN writers that empha-
sized the negative.
It's worth noting that when
America celebrated its bicentennial in
1976, I don't recall chests being beaten
with as much zest for history gone
awry as for the successes steadfastly
accomplished.
So what does it mean that non-
Jewish and non-Arab summaries were
much less harsh than ones written by
Jews?
Is it necessary to be talmudic and
have many historical analyses end
with, "on the other hand?" Even with
glowing imperfections, why is it diffi-
cult to be self-praiseworthy? When
will Jewish writers about Israel not
dwell only on the "not so bad," but
elaborate too on the "pretty good?"
Now is not a bad time. ❑

Not A Negotiator,'
Gore Still Wins Points

JAMES D. BESSER
Washington Correspondent

Binyamin Netanyahu, whose relation-
ship with President Clinton has been
stormy — and could get stormier after
this week's London negotiation ses-
sions, which ended on an ambiguous
note.
Gore's unscheduled, late-night air-
port meeting with Netanyahu and his
emotional words at ceremonies mark ` 0
ing Israel's 50th anniversary had a big
impact on the Israelis, said Malcolm
Hoenlein, executive vice chair of the
Conference of Presidents of Major
Jewish Organizations, who was with
the vice president during some of his
Israel visit.
"He charmed the people of Israel
with his style and his Hebrew and his
warmth," Mr. Hoenlein said. "His role71
was to re-establish the personal chem-

ix

8

Vice President Al Gore listens to Prime
Minister Binyamin 1Vetanyahu follow- 14
ing a press conference.

istry in the relationship. I think he did
that."
And that could produce both diplo-
Washington
matic
and political dividends.
ice president Al Gore's visit
"There have been concerns about
to the Middle East last week
the impression of American pressure,"
may have been the biggest
Hoenlein said. "The vice president
and best event yet in his
helped alleviate that and dispelled
2000 presidential campaign, political
some of the fears about where the
observers here say.
United
States is. That could help the
During a five-day swing through
negotiations."
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the
Politically, "it was an extraordinary
West Bank, Mr. Gore adroitly posi-
performance,"
said presidential histori-
tioned himself as a player in the stalled
an Allan Lichtman of American
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, they
-University. "He comes out of this a
say — but not too much of a player.
major player on a vital and sensitive
"It was the best of all worlds for
issue."
him," said a leading Jewish Democrat
Gore, he said, won stature with
414
this week. "He got to portray himself
Americans
in
general
by
appearing
as a negotiator without doing the risky
diplomatic — without losing points
things negotiators have to do, especial-
with
Jews, a vital constituency in his
ly in Israeli-Palestinian talks."
expensive
quest to win the Democratic
Throughout his visit, Gore insisted
presidential
nomination in two years.
he was "not a negotiator." Instead, his
"He
set
himself
up to win no mat-
role was to reinforce relations with the
ter
what
happened,"
Lichtman said.
principals in the Israeli-Palestinian
"It
was
very
good
politics."
❑
drama, and especially Prime Minister

V

5/8
1998

38

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