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Israel and Arab Democracy
(The National Interest) Aluf Benn - Israelis fear that Bush's doctrine of promoting democracy in the Arab world might bring to power hostile, rejectionist elements (like Islamist parties) who would pose a serious threat to Israel's security once in power. The most ardent advocate of Arab political reform in Israel is Natan Sharansky who has argued for years that Israel must link any territorial concession to the Palestinians or the Syrians with their domestic political reforms. He prefers a hostile democratic neighbor to a friendly dictator as the basis for long-term security. In Israel, however, "they see me as a lunatic from a Soviet prison, disconnected from the harsh realities of the Middle East," he complained recently.