Will Israel Have an Ally in the White House?

Re “Kerry the Clueless,” Opinion, Oct. 17: I too have felt at one time, just as Martin Peretz did, that my arm would wither were I to pull the Republican lever on the voting machine. That time has passed and I am wholly on the Bush side of this election. My devotion to Israel and to the survival of the Jewish state are not the paramount reasons for my switch, but they do play a significant role.

I was horrified when, during the first debate, John Kerry’s plan for Palestinian-Israeli peace was based on a U.S.-European conference where, given past experience, Israel would be sacrificed by the Europeans for Arab oil and to appease the growing European Muslim minorities. In his brilliant analysis, Peretz has mentioned the U.N.’s anti-Israel proclivities. The anti-Israel bias among the Europeans Kerry likes most is at least as strong. Kerry’s muddled thinking might lead to Israel’s isolation and eventual destruction.

Si Frumkin

Studio City

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For evidence of short-term American political memory, look no further than Peretz’s slam at Kerry and Democratic former presidents for allegedly not doing enough to support Israel. Peretz forgets or ignores that Jimmy Carter facilitated one of the most constructive steps in Middle East peace, the accord between Egypt and Israel for which their respective leaders, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin, earned the Nobel Peace Prize.

Peretz fails to credit Bill Clinton for creating dialogue and reducing tensions in the area, a climate that may have continued had Al Gore become president. Instead, President Bush’s neglect of the situation in the first half of his term contributed to the atmosphere of distrust that continues to bring horrific bloodshed on both sides. The Republicans are better for Israel? Who’s clueless?

Ralph Goldstein

Altadena

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Peretz believes Kerry is no friend of Israel because he dares to criticize it for, among other things, building a fence on its neighbor’s territory. Bush, on the other hand, molds American foreign policy in the Middle East to whatever Ariel Sharon wants, whether or not it is in our best interest. Our lopsided stance in this region alienates moderate Muslims and gives Osama bin Laden grist for his mill.

Greg Daniels

Canyon Country

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Peretz’s article, implying that Bush is better for Israel than Kerry would be, is propaganda by an ardent Bush administration supporter. American presidents have traditionally supported Israel for practical reasons. Israel represents modern Western culture in a largely medieval Middle East, as well as being the most formidable military power in the area.

I believe that the Israelis will eventually choose, on their own, to unilaterally allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza, and every American president will continue to strongly support the Jewish state as the ally of choice in the Middle East.

Martin J. Weisman

Westlake Village