Pace Of Israel

terrorism. While many think that could risk inciting

ment. And he will have to reach an understanding with

a wider war with the Arab states, Israel seemed to be

Washington and with U.S. Jewry about the kind of

betting that it would instead make its neighbors

moral, military and economic support Israel is to

respect its right to a secure existence.

receive.

A brilliant military tactician, Sharon will first need to

marshal his internal forces by forming a stable govern-

The challenges are enormous, which makes it exact-

ly the kind of test that Sharon seems to love best.

— Jonathan Friendly, National Editor

VOICES

Sharon's election may alter dynamic ofIsraeli-U.S. relations.

MATTHEW E. BERGER

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Washin gton

he election of Ariel Sharon
in Israel is likely to bring-a
new dynamic to the rela-
tionship between the
United States and one of its strongest
allies.
In contrast to the close engagement
that characterized U.S.-Israeli relations
over the past eight years, the new
administrations in Jerusalem and
Washington are likely to pursue, at
least in.the short term, a hands-off
approach toward each other.
With his Likud Party back in power,
Sharon is less likely to seek active
engagement from the U.S. govern-
ment. And President George W. Bush,
settling into his own new administra-
tion, is less likely to want to giye it.
"I think the new administration's
attention is specifically and intention-
ally elsewhere," Daniel Pipes, director
of the Middle East Forum, said refer-
ring to the Bush administration.
Bush's announced agenda has been
almost entirely domestic. His Middle
East agenda has focused largely on
Iraq, rather than on the failed Israeli-
Palestinian peace negotiations.
Most analysts believe that because
of Sharon's reputation as a military
leader who opposes concessions to

the Palestinians, he will be greeted by
the Bush administration and by
Congress with respect, but cautious
pessimism.

Welcome From Bush

It is too early to tell if the cordial rela-
tions that are likely to appear in the
first few days and weeks will evolve
into cooperation or confrontation,
which was the case the last time a
Republican administration in
Washington — under the elder
George Bush — faced a Likud govern-
ment in Israel led by Yitzhak Shamir.
Much will be determined by events
on the ground: What kind of govern-
ment will Sharon form? Will Israeli-
Palestinian peace talks disintegrate
into all-out confrontation? What poli-
cies will the Israeli premier pursue in
fighting Palestinian violence?
David Makovsky, a senior fellow at
the Washington Institute for Near East
Policy, said the United States will Wait
and see whether Sharon is able to
form a government and whether it
incorporates members of the Labor
Party.
The first test of the relationship
between the two leaders may come -
when Sharon first comes to the United
States and the Bush team must decide
whether to invite him to the White
House. "They may be hesitant giving
him the red carpet, but they are going

to give him a chance," Makovsky said.
For their part, the Bush administra-
tion officially congratulated Sharon on
his election and expressed a desire to
work with the new prime minister.
President Bush called to congratu-
late the winner shortly after Ehud
Barak conceded defeat. "The president
told Prime Minister-elect Sharon he
looked forward to working with him,
especially with regard to advancing
peace and stability in the region," said
a statement released by White House
spokesman Ari Fleischer.
"The United States has worked with
every leader of Israel since its creation
in 1948," the statement said. "Our
bilateral relationship is rock solid, as is
the U.S. commitment to Israel's secu-
rity."
For its part, the Israeli embassy said
it was already working with official
Washington to make sure that the new
prime minister would "receive general
support." Just minutes after Sharon
.was elected on Tuesday, Mark Regev, a
spokesman at the Israeli embassy, said,
"There are lots of biased and partisan
selective histories of Sharon. It's very
important to get the true picture of
Sharon out there."
Tom Smerling, Washington director
of the Israel Policy Forum, said Sharon
will use his personal skills to reach out
to both the Israeli public and the
CHANGING THE RULES on page 22

"First, the election in Israel is sole-
ly the responsibility of the Israeli
society. We have no business in
that process. We don't like other
nations to come in and try to
influence our elections.
"Second, we feel as Arab-
Americans that the Israeli policy
toward lasting peace in the Middle
East remains the same, with one
unique feature, which is Sharon's
record. He is perceived to be a war
criminal, and will never be per-
ceived as a peacemaker. The only
thing the Sharon election will add
to the flavor will be to make it
more smelly.
"Regardless of who is in charge,
they must comply with United
Nations resolutions to bring about
a just and lasting peace."

— Imad Hamad, regional direc-
tor, American Arab Anti-
Discrimination Committee

"The Israeli people have expressed
their concerns about the hatred and
violence they have
faced. And we hope
and know that the
prime minister-elect
will seek peace and
realize security for
the people in Israel
and in the Middle
East."

— Sharona
Shapiro, Michigan area director,
American Jewish Committee

VOICES on page

21

2/9

2001

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