Special Report
Lieberman Quagmire
running now, he is the person who
can do most for the future of the
Middle East peace process."
That's precisely what concerns many
Jewish leaders, who were not heartened
by Lieberman's comments last week.
Certainly, the Middle East could be
a larger topic in the 2004 campaign
than when Lieberman ran for vice
hawkish for a Democratic legislator.
leaders oppose a full withdrawal, saying
Others argue that Democratic presi-
president in 2000.
it would jeopardize Israel's security.
The Palestinian intifada (uprising)
dential hopefuls will see Lieberman as
began just six weeks before the 2000
the standard-bearer on the Israeli-
Consistent Positions
election, and hope for peace still
Palestinian conflict. If Lieberman
remained. But that hope has faded,
expresses sympathy for the
Lieberman has been a consistently
and increased violence — coupled
Palestinians, it will be easier for others
strong supporter of Israel, sponsoring
last spring's congressional resolution of to do the same, according to this view. with possible U.S. military action
If Lieberman does emerge as a leader against Iraq and the continued threat
solidarity with the Jewish state. He
on Middle East issues, analysts say, he
of terrorism against the United States
also has been a proponent of U.S.
— likely will make the Middle East a
may be tempted to address the topic
engagement to broker an Israeli-
key campaign issue this time around.
more frequently.
Palestinian peace.
By moderating his support of Israel,
"He's seen in a different light than
Some American Jewish leaders,
analysts say Lieberman could gain two
others," the Jewish leader said. "When
therefore, were shocked by Lieberman's
things: In addition to showing voters
he speaks, other people take notice of
recent comments. The leaders say the
his independence, he could build
it, and it is seen as representative of
community now sees him differently,
sources of support outside his natural
the community."
as another politician who will say
base in the American Jewish commu-
whatever is needed to get elected.
nity. And Lieberman has little fear of
"There's a lot of concern," said one
Trailblazer
alienating American Jews, many of
senior Jewish leader, who spoke on con-
whom are excited about the prospect
Rosenberg said Lieberman is the only
dition of anonymity. "There is a real
candidate who can affect Mideast poli- of a fellow Jew in the White House.
sense I get from people that he is flip-
Yet the first stage of the road to the
cy on the campaign trail.
flopping and saying what is convenient."
White House focuses primarily on
"He has special standing. He can do
Lieberman's aides say the senator was
raising money, and Lieberman's posi-
more on the Middle East than a
just repeating sentiments he has
tions on the Middle East could affect
expressed in the past. Because he is not generic, non-Jewish candidate,"
his war chest. Lieberman, therefore,
Rosenberg said. "Of all the people
officially a presidential candidate, his
may need to express pro-Israel
comments should not be seen in
IF leanings initially, in order to tap
a political light, the aides say.
Jewish political donations, and
But to those who follow the
It then moderate his rhetoric later.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
Most of Lieberman's
Lieberman sent a clear signal
2, Democratic rivals are seen as
that he would offer independ-
strong supporters of Israel, with
ent views on the Middle East,
congressional voting records to
free of obligations to any group.
back it up.
"The way a pro-Israel and
The only contender without a
Jewish candidate runs for presi-
record on the Middle East, out-
dent is by demonstrating that
going Vermont Gov. Howard
he's fair," said M. J. Rosenberg,
Dean, recently returned from the
policy director of the Israel
region, where he pledged support
Policy Forum. "The amount of
for
U.S. loan guarantees to Israel.
compassion he demonstrated in
He also has recruited as an advis-
his trip toward the Palestinians
er Steve Grossman, a former
and their suffering will be
national chairman of the
unique to Lieberman."
Democratic National Committee
No one knows for sure how
and former president of the
frequently Lieberman will address
American Israel Public Affairs
the Middle East on the campaign
Committee.
trail. Analysts generally view the
In any case, analysts say, the
issue in one of two ways:
2004 election will turn on many
Some argue that Lieberman
issues beside the Middle East,
will speak only rarely about
and Lieberman's views on the
Israel, eager to avoid the percep- .
Israeli-Palestinian conflict aren't
tion that his religious beliefs dic-
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, center; listens to a trans-
likely to make or break his can-
tate his perspective on world
lator as Israeli Prime Minister ArielSharon talks to
didacy. "The Middle East is not
affairs. Instead, he will focus his
journalists on Dec. 22. Lieberman equated terror
an issue that people, other than
foreign policy addresses on Iraq
attacks against Israel with world terrorism in his visit
Jews,
vote on," one Jewish politi-
and the war against terrorism,
with Sharon.
cal operative said. D
issues on which he is seen as
The Middle East has become a trap for Connecticut's potential candidate.
MATTHEW E. BERGER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
hen John F. Kennedy
ran for president in
1960, some asked if a
Catholic candidate
would be beholden to the Catholic
Church and the pope.
If Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.,
announces his candidacy for president
— as he is expected to do later this
month — he may try to prove that he
is not beholden to Israel or the
American Jewish lobby.
Lieberman, who was the
Democratic candidate for vice presi-
dent in 2000, would be the first
Jewish candidate with a viable shot at
the White House. But while it has
become routine for presidential candi-
dates to express support for Israel,
analysts say Lieberman may need to
measure his comments carefully to
avoid accusations that he is a pawn of
Jewish interests.
To win the confidence and support
of some voters, Lieberman, an obser-
vant Jew, will need to prove that he
would be serving the United States,
not Israel, analysts say.
When Lieberman toured the
Middle East late last month, he still
wasn't a candidate for president. Yet
he was more than just another visiting
politician.
While his trip was intended, in
part, to meet with American troops in
the region, Lieberman used the visit
to take a stand on Mideast issues.
On several occasions, he
empathized with the plight of the
Palestinians and expressed his support
for Arab efforts to halt Israeli-
Palestinian violence.
"There's strong support for the aspi-
rations of the Palestinian people for
independent statehood," Lieberman
told reporters in Ramallah. "The
question is whether there will be suffi-
cient leadership here and in the world
to bring this about sooner than later."
He also expressed support for a Saudi
Arabian initiative that offers the
prospect of peace with the Arab world if
Israel gives up all the land it won in the
1.967 Six-Day War, among other condi-
tions. Israel and many American Jewish
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2003
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