Clinton visit wows most Israelis, but some American Jews skeptical

Cleveland Jewish News ^ | Feb 26 2002 | Simon Carroll

[scratchgolfer]

Clinton visit wows most Israelis, but some American Jews skeptical

By Simon Carroll

JERUSALEM, Feb. 26 (JTA) -- Israelis 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 President 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 citizens.

``It really was an important trip," Olmert told JTA, two days after buying Clinton a cup of coffee at the Sbarro pizzeria in downtown Jerusalem, scene of a huge suicide bombing in August. ``It gets us out of our feeling of isolation."

The bulk of the American Jewish leaders who gathered here for the annual Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations also expressed satisfaction with Clinton's trip. Her itinerary included visits to the graves of Yitzhak and Leah Rabin, meetings with terror victims at a Hadassah hospital, three speeches, the pizzeria coffee session, a visit to the Western Wall and a trip to Magen David Adom, whose ambulances have raced to and from numerous bombing scenes.

``It hit the right buttons," said Leonard Cole, outgoing chairman of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ``She said the right things, and I think she meant it."

Slightly less taken 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 certainly repairing the damage done by kissing Mrs. Arafat and so on. I think it's now forgiven. Her person-to-person skills are amazing."

During her 36 hours in Jerusalem, Clinton managed to find the right sentiment on each occasion, as noted by the country's leading daily, Ha'aretz.

``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 authenticity," columnist Saguy Green wrote of Clinton's Hadassah hospital encounter with terror victims and doctors.

Among Clinton's political aims was to repair the damage from her embrace of Arafat's wife, Suha, on a previous visit to the region. Jews and Israelis were aghast when Clinton stood stoically by as Suha Arafat accused Israel of poisoning Palestinian water supplies -- and then kissed the Palestinian first lady.

This time, Clinton's political rhetoric was filled with condemnation of Yasser Arafat, who she said was ``squarely to blame" for the current 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 and missiles, 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. Yet Clinton's rhetoric failed to convince Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America.

``Although we appreciate the condemnation of Arafat, we 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 murders Americans anywhere in the world -- the so-called Koby Mandell Act, named after the young Israeli-American boy who was snatched by Palestinians while on a hike last year and then beaten and stabbed to death in a cave.

Klein also pointed out that Clinton had not stated her position on whether the Palestine Liberation Organization should be forced to close its offices in New York.

``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. JTA END

[Pearls Before Swine]

Israelis 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.

And to think I was brought up to think of Jews were highly intelligent.

[waxhaw]

Hilter could really turn on the charm as well, I've read. I've believe Hillary has made her real feelings toward Jews evident in past years - we've certainly read enough about it here on FR. In particular I'm thinking of the account of her calling husband Bill "You Jewish bastard!" (Curious that she would use the term "Jewish" on him - we already know he's a bastard.) By the way, I'm quoting the word "bastard" not in a profane sense but in it's historical meaning - an illegitimate child. The only people Hillary hates more than Christians are Jews and that because the Law (which she abominates) and the Messiah (whom she abhores) came from the Jews.

[iav2]

The fact is I think that Liberals everywhere like Hillary, but this article would speak to the myth that Jews like the Clintons no questions asked. As long as there are Liberals there will be Clintons. Probably Chelsea someday. Hurl.

[mombonn]

``She's very smart, very politically savvy,"

Translation: "She knows how to lie extremely well."

[Endeavor]

"``It hit the right buttons," said Leonard Cole, outgoing chairman of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. ``She said the right things, and I think she meant it."

That's rather telling - he "thinks she meant it." What's wrong with this statement?!

[Right_in_Virginia]

"Klein also complained that Clinton had ``not been at the forefront" of pro-Israel legislative efforts."

Mr. Klein; your instincts are correct. The American media will not tell you that Hillary Clinton is working for the "anti-Christ".

Shalom, Mr. Klein.

[jocko12]

WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY!!!!

[small voice in the wilderness]

``She said the right things, and I think she meant it."

Mygawd. It's statements like this that make you wanna bang your head against the Wailing Wall. WHAT?? How is it possible that people STILL believe anything she/he/they say? Unbelievable. unbelievable.

[SJackson]

The fact is I think that Liberals everywhere like Hillary, but this article would speak to the myth that Jews like the Clintons no questions asked.

Perceptive. Thank you. Liberals love her, but she (and bubba) have in fact lost many liberal Jews on policy issues (we vote for that, don't we). But, IMO, the demonization of Jews as a block of dem voters is naive (as illustrated by younger Jewish voters). We haven't talked before, but thanks for a fresh opinion.

[Endeavor]

"...bang your head against the Wailing Wall."

Good one!

[ProudGOP]

In particular I'm thinking of the account of her calling husband Bill "You Jewish bastard!"

I believe that she was referring to Dick Morris during that particular incident. When it comes to Dick Morris, the Bastard part is fairly evident but the Jewish part usually comes as a surprise.

[Twodees]

Hmmm... it would appear that the Hillary!/Suha smooch pics haven't been adequately circultated in Israel. The cow should have been confronted by a few hundred Israelis carrying large posters of that pic when she showed her mug at Sbarro's.

I'm sorry, I don't hate many people, but that fat lying cow is at the head of my list.

[glc1173@aol.com]

This American Jew always thought that Klinton was trash - and so was her husband.

[sheik yerbouty]

That would be her husband, Beelzebubba. She of course is "The Bride of Satan."

[sheik yerbouty]

Not the loud mouthed lefty ones.

[PGalt]

"makes amends for her past indescretions"

some battered people never learn

[LarryLied]

But, IMO, the demonization of Jews as a block of dem voters is naive (as illustrated by younger Jewish voters).

Nobody is demonizing anyone when pointing out voting patterns. I get so sick of that. It is not racist or antisemitic to say 91% of blacks and 80% of Jews voted for Gore. It is the truth. A Philly exit poll showed Bush won, by about 7%, the under 30 Jewish vote. But Gore won 78% of the 30 to 49 age bracket and 95% of those over 65. Those numbers hardly suggest there is going to be any major shift in the near future.

[McGavin999]

There are a certain number of people of every nationality that are just plain DUMB. In earlier times these people were eliminated by natural selection, but since we've been protecting "the weak" they have been allowed to multiply and endanger the rest of us.

[SJackson]

Nobody is demonizing anyone when pointing out voting patterns. I get so sick of that. It is not racist or antisemitic to say 91% of blacks and 80% of Jews voted for Gore. It is the truth. A Philly exit poll showed Bush won, by about 7%, the under 30 Jewish vote. But Gore won 78% of the 30 to 49 age bracket and 95% of those over 65. Those numbers hardly suggest there is going to be any major shift in the near future.

Larry, go back and read what I said here and in lots of posts. I understand that you live in a culture of eighty something FDR supporters, and from a business perspective I’m sure they are a major pain in the *ss. If demonizing bothers you, I’ll replace it with “historic voting patterns bother with you”. From a political perspective, get over this stuff. Look ahead. I don’t know why the Jewish vote is an issue to you, but I can tell you as a Jewish conservative, we are gaining GOP ground big time, especially among the younger voters. I say this in the context of a conservative forum where we are trying to maximize conservative (GOP-GWB) voters. Better to leave the anti-semitic and racist accusation shit. (left out the * on purpose) somewhere else (the Dems are looking). I’ve never given you reason to think that. If I did think that, you wouldn’t have received an answer.