Kiss And Forgive
Israelis warm to Hillary Clinton, but visiting Americans were skeptical.
SIMON CARROLL
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Jerusalem
sraelis are praising Hillary Clinton's recent
swing through Jerusalem as a successful public
relations trip that makes amends for her past
indiscretions toward Jews and Israel.
But some visiting American Jewish leaders are critical
of what the New York senator did not say, lamenting
the absence of any pro-Israel legislative promises.
Others were left wondering whether Clinton's strong
words — she sharply criticized Palestinian Authority
leader Yasser Arafat — and whirlwind trips to the city's
key political and terror sites reflected political acumen
more than genuine passion.
Israeli officials generally expressed delight, with
Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert emphasizing the
morale boost Clinton's visit gave his beleaguered citi-
zens. "It really was an important trip," Olmert said,
two days after buying Clinton a cup of coffee at the
Sbarro pizzeria in downtown Jerusalem,
J
scene of a
huge suicide bombing in August. "It gets us out of our
feeling of isolation."
The bulk of the American Jewish leaders gath-
ered in Israel for the annual Conference of
Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations meeting also expressed satisfaction
with Clinton's trip. Her itinerary included visits
to the graves of Yitzhak and Leah Rabin, meetings
with terror victims at Hadassah Hospital, three
speeches, the pizzeria coffee session, a visit to the
Western Wall and a trip to Magen David Adorn,
whose ambulances have raced to and from numer-
ous bombing scenes.
"It hit the right buttons," said Leonard Cole, outgo-
ing chairman of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
"She said the right things, and I think she meant it."
Slightly less impressed was Julio Messer, head of the
American Friends of Likud. "In the wake of Arafat's
war of terrorism, I'm glad she's changed her position,"
he said. "I would hope she's also changed her mind."
Most who encountered Clinton were impressed by
her charm.
"She's very smart, very politically savvy," said
Mandell Ganchrow, executive vice president of the
Religious Zionist Organization of America. "She's cer-
tainly-tepairing the damage done by kissing Mrs.
Arafat and so on. I think it's now- forgiven. Her person-
to-person skills are amazing."
I
Savy Speeches
During her 36 hours in Jerusalem, Clinton man-
aged to find the right sentiment on each, occasion,
as noted by Hdaretz newspaper.
"It was a display of her political-diplomatic skills,
with the kind of maudlin American polish that no
local Israeli politicians can muster with any authen-
311
2002
26
Sen. Hillary Clinton D-N.Y, visits the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, scene of a Palestinian suicide attack last
summer, with Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert on Feb. 24.
ticity," columnist Saguy Green wrote of Clinton's
Hadassah Hospital encounter with terror victims
and doctors.
On this visit, Clinton's political rhetoric was
filled with condemnation of Yasser Arafat, who
she said was "squarely to blame" for the cur-
rent violence.
She also lashed out at Iran, claiming its supply
of weapons and $100 million annual terrorist
budget, together with its efforts to develop
nuclear weapons, make it a grave threat to both
Israel and America.
Clinton also stressed that since Sept. 11, America
increasingly understands that Israel is fighting the
same battle against terrorism.
Clinton's rhetoric failed to convince Morton
Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of
America. "Although we appreciate the condemna-
tion of Arafat,Ive regret that she did not offer any
specific pro-Israel legislative proposals, such as
cutting off the $100 million annual aid to the
Palestinian Authority, placing Arafat's Al .-Fatah
organization on the list of terror groups or getting
America to move its embassy to Jerusalem," he
said.
Klein also complained that Clinton had "not
been at the forefront" of pro-Israel legislative
efforts. In particular, he cited moves to compel
the U.S. government to indict anyone who mur-
ders Americans anywhere in the world.
"In general, this trip left me concerned that she
is not as supportive of Israel in concrete terms as
one would expect from any New York senator,"
Klein said. ❑