[Ha'aretz] Aluf Benn - The U.S. presidential election is taking place against the backdrop of an ongoing decline in the importance of Israel and the Israeli-Arab conflict for American foreign policy. The paramount task of the newly elected president will be to rescue the American and global economy. Next on the agenda will be the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Iranian nuclear program. In the present circumstances, it's hard to see how either presidential candidate might achieve an accord between Israel and the Palestinians. The PA in the West Bank is weak and its future is uncertain, while Hamas in Gaza refuses to recognize Israel and to enter into negotiations. The next administration will not force Israel to withdraw from the West Bank, and thereby expose Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to rocket fire and suicide bombings.
2008-10-24 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive