The Candidates On The Mideast

by the editors

For American Jews who care about Israel, there is good news in the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2008 Presidential Questionnaire, which probes the views of the three remaining contenders — Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama — on a host of Mideast and domestic issues.

What is most striking about the candidates’ Mideast positions is their support for the principles that unite Jews across the political spectrum: the critical need for security for Israel, an end to terrorism and real change in the way Arab countries and Palestinian leaders deal with the reality of the Jewish state.

All three are sensitive to power of language. Their words on Mideast policy are measured, reflecting sensitivity to Jewish concerns. That’s just politics, some say

— but the pro-Israel movement has proven adept over the years in turning campaign-trail statements of support into genuine and enduring friendship.

While agreeing on core principles, the three contenders emphasized different aspects of Mideast policy. Obama talked more about the need to foster a viable peace process, McCain more about Hamas and the international community, Clinton more about Palestinian incitement. All three pledge strong support for the Jewish state, but the nuances in their answers make it possible to infer how their policies might differ.

But one yearns to know more. How, exactly, would Obama use American leadership to advance a peace process in the current unpromising climate? How would McCain hold governments that support terror groups accountable, as he promises, especially in an era of depleted U.S. military resources and even more depleted international standing? Clinton says we must “engage in regional diplomacy to gain Arab support” for moderate Palestinian leaders, but isn’t that what the last two administrations have tried to do, with little to show for it?

It is understandable that politicians try to eschew details about how they might conduct foreign policy, for practical as well as political reasons. Most are smart enough to understand that the realities they will encounter on their first day in the White House will be very different from the environment on the campaign trail.

Still, Jewish leaders and voters should press for more detail from candidates. Talking the talk is important, but we need more information to know how they will walk the walk.

Westchester Jewish Conference

Westchester’s Jewish Community Relations Organization