McCain in Sderot

Rick Richman wrote at the end of last year that when he visited Israel, President Bush should be Following Kennedy’s Lead.

When he visits Israel next month, President Bush can immerse himself in the details of the “peace process,” perhaps resolving the issue of 300 new homes in Jerusalem, or discussing the release of more prisoners, or considering other steps to “strengthen” a Palestinian leader who does not control even his own “military wing” and cannot promise even eventual recognition of a Jewish state. 

Or he — or they — can go to Sderot.

The president can address the citizens there and say there are those who claim that peace is simply a matter of withdrawal from disputed land; or that one can satisfy those committed to one’s destruction with concessions; or that a people choosing life will eventually run from the threat of death.

And he can respond by saying: “Let them come to Sderot.”

 

Given that the withdrawal of Jews from Gaza directly led to the barrage of rockets aimed at Sderot and given that President Bush gave his full support to the withdrawal, it would have been an important gesture. (I didn’t think that such a trip was likely due to security considerations.)

President Bush didn’t make the trip to Sderot, but today France 24 reports that McCain takes pro-Israel stance in Sderot.

US Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Wednesday showed vigorous support for Israel, where he made a highly symbolic visit to a town hit by near-daily rocket fire from Gaza.

“No nation in the world can be attacked incessantly and have its population killed and intimidated without responding,” McCain said in the southern town of Sderot, where he visited a house hit by a rocket fired by Islamists in the Gaza Strip, just a few kilometres (miles) away.

The Arizona senator was in Israel on a fact-finding mission which has also taken him to Iraq and Jordan and has been widely seen as a bid to polish his credentials as a statesman.

“Seeing it first-hand, the situation here is one that is very compelling,” McCain told reporters in Sderot after touring the town with Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

“Nine hundred rocket attacks in the last three months; this puts an enormous strain on everyone here, especially the children.”

 

It’s an important point.

Israel has been remarkably restrained (despite what its critics say). McCain went further though:

McCain warned in an interview with the Jerusalem Post that Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatened not only the Jewish state but also US and Western interests.

“If Hamas-Hezbollah succeed here, they are going to succeed everywhere.

“They are dedicated to the extinction of everything that the US, Israel and the West believe and stand for,” the Republican candidate added.

 

It was a little disconcerting though to read the following spin in an AP article about the visit.

While billed as routine congressional business, the visit appeared to be aimed at burnishing McCain’s leadership credentials and courting Jewish voters for next fall’s election. Jews make up large voting blocs in several key swing states, including Florida and Michigan, and could help influence the outcome of the election. 

Though McCain did not visit Palestinian areas, Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said the senator has always been accessible to the Palestinians and is “committed to peace.” But he suggested McCain’s visit was aimed more at attracting Jewish voters than promoting negotiations. “Maybe one day Palestinians will have money for your campaigns in the United States,” he said.

 

As McCain made clear the fight against Islamic extremism is an American, not a specifically Jewish, issue. Polls show that most Americans agree. And Erekat’s sly Walt-Mearsheimer evincing comment deflects that.

I wish that he were a little more skeptical towards Abbas, but when even the Israeli government doesn’t show that skepticism, it’s hard to fault McCain.

I expect that whoever is elected will not do everything I think he or she ought to regarding Israel. However this trip by McCain is more than I expected from any candidate.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.