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Jewish Journal

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Picture of Ron Kampeas, JTA

Ron Kampeas, JTA

Social Issues Still Divide Jews, GOP

September 2, 2004

Call it the tale of two Mellmans.

Mark Mellman, one of John Kerry\’s top four advisers, launched a talk with Jewish Democrats in Boston last month with a drasha (short sermon) on the meaning of Tisha B\’Av, the Jewish fast day that happened to fall during the party convention. Then, with nary a comment from the crowd, Mellman glided into the case for the Massachusetts senator.

Contrast that with the introduction this Sunday for Bush-Cheney campaign manager Ken Mehlman at a similar Jewish event.

\”One of us, Ken Mehlman — let me repeat that, one of us, Ken Mehlman — is running the Bush-Cheney campaign,\” said Morris Offit, a Republican and the president of the New York federation, barely containing his grin as he emphasized Mehlman\’s Jewishness.

Evangelicals Back Israel at RNC

September 2, 2004

\”Evangelical Christians support Israel because according to prophecy, Jews have to be in Israel in order for the apocalypse to happen, and the messiah and all that stuff,\” Al Franken said.

\”And when that happens, of course, Jews will all burn in hell,\” he said. \”And so I think at that point the coalition will break up.\”

JEWS DECIDE: 2004

August 26, 2004

Republicans promise that a substantive, tough party platform this year will present Jewish voters with a sharp contrast from the relatively scrawny Democratic document — but they may find that delving into details could prove devilish.

The Bush campaign is emphasizing its adherence to old-fashioned platform-writing techniques, going into particulars, yet leaving open an element of surprise by allowing a platform committee to hash through the proposed document on the eve of the convention next week.

CIA Nominee Backs Lesser Mideast Role

August 19, 2004

Rep. Porter Goss\’ distance from Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking was likely a plus in securing the nomination to lead the CIA.

In fact, Goss (R- Fla.), President Bush\’s choice to succeed George Tenet as intelligence director, is about as far from the CIA\’s peacemaking efforts in the Middle East as Tenet was close to it.

Israel Backs Tough U.N. Line on Iran

June 24, 2004

Israeli officials are elated at the tough language in a resolution passed last week by the board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog rebuking Iran for not cooperating with nuclear inspectors.

Kerry Vies for Jewish Vote

May 6, 2004

A Kerry administration would avoid the pressure other presidents have used to nudge Israel in peace negotiations, and would consult closely with the Jewish state before launching any new Mideast peace initiative.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, outlined his approach to Middle East peacemaking in an interview with JTA on Monday, the same day he launched his campaign to win Jewish votes with a major policy speech to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Bush Still Waiting for Reward

April 22, 2004

Ariel Sharon is already reaping political dividends from last week\’s historic exchange of letters with President Bush, but the U.S. president\’s payoff depends a great deal on what Israel does next.

Sharon Wins Big With Bush

April 15, 2004

One historic concession deserves another. Just four months after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon — the father of the settlement movement — stunned Israelis by pledging to evacuate some settlements, he got his payback from President Bush, who reversed decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Israel\’s claim to parts of the West Bank.

It was compensation, with interest: Sharon had scored perhaps the most stunning diplomatic triumph in the U.S.-Israeli alliance in a generation.

Slaying Raises U.S. Peace Plan Concern

March 25, 2004

The death of Sheik Ahmad Yassin will pave the way to Palestinian moderation, Israel and its friends in Washington say.

But others, including Bush administration officials, are worried that the road just got a lot bumpier.

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