Why the Democrats Can't Be Trusted on Israel

A Financial Times article the other day shows why the Democratic Party cannot be trusted on Israel. No American newspaper has touched this.

Superficially, the Democrats seem to show no daylight between them and the Bush administration. The FT points out that "As recently as 1999 and 2000, it was acceptable for Bill Clinton, a Democratic president, to talk about “Israel’s occupation of the West Bank” as an obstacle to peace. Mr Clinton frequently referred to Israeli settlements in the occupied territories in the same vein. That is no longer mainstream."

But here's the payoff:

“The plain fact is there is no upside for candidates to challenge the prevailing assumptions about Israel,” said one of their advisers, who asked not to be named. “The best strategy is to win the White House and then change the debate.”

In other words, the best strategy for friends of Israel is to be sure the Democrats don't win the White House.