Kerry and Bush Compete for the Role of Israel’s Best Friend
by Steven R. Weisman
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 – Days before a tight presidential election focused on a handful of states with many Jewish voters, the campaigns of both President Bush and Senator John Kerry are trading charges over who would be the greater friend to Israel in the White House.
Interviews with aides to Mr. Kerry and Mr. Bush indicate, however, that their views on Israel and the difficulties of getting talks started with the Palestinians are starkly similar. Whoever is elected on Tuesday, American policy in the Middle East is unlikely to change markedly.