Lieberman leaves Israelis pleased, Palestinians cautious

In this story: The Palestinians react A message on Clinton's Mideast policy? RELATED STORIES, SITES

JERUSALEM (CNN)-- Although sluggish in their quest for peace, Palestinians and Israelis were swift to react Monday to Vice President Al Gore's choice of a Jewish running mate.

Israelis welcomed the selection of Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an orthodox Jew who observes the Sabbath and makes it clear that his religion is a major factor in his public conduct.

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"I am very proud American society has matured to such a point that Jew that is a conscious Jew, a religious Jew, can be a candidate for this high position," Rabbi Michael Melchior, Israeli minister for diaspora affairs, told CNN.

Lieberman's adherence to orthodox Judaism, said Rabbi Avraham Ravitz, a member of the Israeli Knesset, "might be a big help for the next president to reach much better relations between Israel and the United States."

The Palestinians react

Palestinians -- harboring hopes of imminent statehood and ever sensitive to Washington's key role in Middle East politics -- responded cautiously to Gore's choice.

"I'm sure Mr. Gore had his reasons and thought hard about his choice," said Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi. "I just hope that issues of Israeli relations do not become paramount, and that the Democratic Party and Mr. Gore will try to be more even-handed in the peace process."

"If this man is a supporter of the Palestinian state, I have no problem with him," said Mahdi Abdul Hadi, chairman of the Palestinian research institute Passia.

Hadi pointed out there are American Jews in high positions throughout the Clinton administration, including Madeleine Albright and others at the State Department. "We didn't have any problem with them as long as they stand for ethics and values and just settlements," he said.

"I will start having a problem with him and with so many others ... if they are against my rights and my needs for a Palestinian independent, sovereign state," Hadi added.

A message on Clinton's Mideast policy?

Political analysts say Gore's selection of Lieberman -- who, despite his personal friendship with the president, was outspoken in criticizing Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky -- is a move to distance his campaign from the personal scandals that have dogged Clinton's presidency.

And while Gore himself has played a minor role in Middle East peacemaking, analysts question whether the vice president's choice of this running mate will not also result in a deviation from Clinton's Middle East policy, which is supportive of Israel but also embraces Palestinian rights.

According to Lieberman's Web site, he supported efforts in Congress to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem -- a move that would signal U.S. support for Israel's controversial claim to Jerusalem as its capital.

And, in 1998, he signed a letter from more than a dozen senators to the president urging Clinton to maintain an American commitment to Israel's security. Washington's Middle East diplomacy, the letter stated, "has always worked best when pursued quietly and in concert with Israel."

But Lieberman also backed the sale of fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

CNN Jerusalem Correspondent Jerrold Kessel and CNN.Com writer Kate Casa contributed to this report.

Biography of Joseph Lieberman 2000
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May 23, 2000
Bush says he would move U.S. embassy to Jerusalem
May 22, 2000

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