Leaders visit other countries and take part in international events in order to demonstrate support for allies, change the positions of rivals, promote issues and interests, mediate conflicts, and boost approval ratings back home. Despite the close ties between Israel and the United States, American presidents tend to stay away from Israel during their term in office, including the ones considered Israel’s greatest friends, such as Ronald Reagan.
American presidents frequently meet with Israeli prime ministers and cabinet ministers, who prefer to travel to Washington, because a visit to the White House with all the pomp and circumstance it involves can serve to cast aside coalition caprices and unstable status at home for a moment.
Only three American presidents visited Israel during their tenure. In 1974 it was Richard Nixon, who wanted to capitalize on American diplomatic achievements in the wake of the Yom Kippur War in order to counter the Watergate Scandal, which threatened his term in office.
Jimmy Carter visited Israel in 1979 in order to finalize the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Clinton visited Israel four times, both under festive circumstances, to celebrate and promote the peace process, and under tragic circumstances, such as the Rabin funeral.
Bush visited Israel only once, in 1998, while serving as the governor of Texas and planning his 2000 presidential bid. Ariel Sharon, who served as foreign minister at the time, organized a guided tour in a helicopter that made a strong impression on Bush.
According to polls undertaken in Israel, Bush’s image in Israel is the most positive in the world. This contradicts his very negative image in Europe, in the Arab world, among the Palestinians, and even in the US itself. However, Bush is not coming to Israel in order to win praise. His visit has strategic objectives.
In his last year in office, Bush is taking care of his legacy.
Greater personal involvement
First, Bush wishes to prove that despite the entanglement in Iraq, the US has been able to forge a coalition against radical Islam that includes Israel and moderate Arab states.
Secondly, he is arriving in order to allay the fears of Israel and his Arab allies in the wake of the publication of the embarrassing US intelligence report that claimed Iran froze its military nuclear program in 2003 and is far away from developing nuclear arms. He will again pledge to do everything in order to prevent Iran from acquiring such weapons.
Thirdly, he wishes to continue the Annapolis Conference and demonstrate that it was not a display that is empty of substance.
Fourthly, he wishes to boost the weak Olmert and Abbas, so that they can make progress in negotiations.
Finally, he wishes to demonstrate greater personal involvement in Middle Eastern affairs.
Bush is a devout Christian and his visit to the Holy Land has a personal dimension as well, particularly as he truly needs help from above in order to reach significant achievements for his legacy. If he succeeds, he would like to get the credit and prevent anyone else from reaping the glory. If he fails, he can always say that at least he did as much as he could in order to achieve peace and shape a better Middle East.
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