Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., January 25, 2009 Tevet 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:12 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 01:51 20/01/2009
With the power of hope
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Palestinians, Israel 

You don't have to be an American to get excited by the swearing-in of Barack Obama as president of the United States today. Even though we've learned to ease up on using the word "historic" to describe Obama's inauguration, it is indeed a rare event whose sound track includes not only the words of speakers, but also the flapping of the wings of history.

A country whose founders included slaveholders, which had a fierce internal struggle over slavery in the U.S. Civil War, whose laws allowed racial separation and discrimination until a few decades ago, is inaugurating a black leader. It's a great moment for Obama, but even greater for the American people, who are once again teaching humanity a lesson on the ability to adapt, change and ascend.

This is also a moment of leave-taking from the administration of George W. Bush. Bush's mistakes, whether related to his priorities or conduct, are dwarfed by his realization after September 11, 2001, that radical Islam had declared all-out war on the West; that those being attacked had to move the battle to enemy territory.
Advertisement
Despite the criticism over aspects of the military and political conduct of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially after the fall of the Taliban and Saddam Hussein, Bush should be credited with halting the attack by governments and organizations, rebels and radicals, who see the ends as justifying the means. Bush has had his share of mistakes and failures, but in the pantheon of American governments, and from the selfish perspective of Israel and its security, he is worthy of being remembered as a dedicated friend who helped Israel. He was the first president to support the establishment of a moderate and democratic Palestinian state alongside the Jewish one.

Bush's ambition of filling the region with democracy hasn't turned out so well. Even the Annapolis process has yet to bear fruit. The tasks are too heavy for a single government, but the grace period the public gives a new president could give him a one-time opportunity.

The Israeli-Arab conflict will be one of the Obama administration's many challenges. Obama, whose rise to power makes him the hope of many people around the world, would do well to personally, and quickly, renew the effort to achieve a stable peace that reconciles Israel with Syria and the Palestinians. Obama's grace period won't last long; would that he use it for the benefit of the Middle East.
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Reviving the Mideast
U.S envoy to the Mideast is due to arrive in Israel for talks on boosting a Gaza cease-fire.
Iranian uranium
London Times: Iran's supply of yellow cake may run out within months.
  1.   Couldn`t Disagree More 07:30  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/01/09
  2.   Haaretz - You are Honest and Decent Enough to Credit Bush 08:57  |  Tod Zuckerman 20/01/09
  3.   SEE? 10:08  |  indrajaya 20/01/09
  4.   I don`t think so 10:13  |  Clickfool 20/01/09
  5.   `Bush will be remembered as a friend of Israel` 10:19  |  Colin Wright 20/01/09
  6.   Sorry, but have to disagree too...... 10:24  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/01/09
  7.   Not only the worst president ever, but the worst leader 11:03  |  Natallie Durson 20/01/09
  8.   Bush`s presidency should be looked at as a personal tragedy 11:25  |  S 20/01/09
  9.   with friends like George W.... 11:41  |  john and the TRUTH! 20/01/09
  10.   BUSH will be remembered for many millions he gave Africa 11:47  |  PETER SM 20/01/09
  11.   what a friend! 11:57  |  davide 20/01/09
  12.   Bush faced biggest problems in US history. 11:58  |  Leslie Udwin 20/01/09
  13.   A catalyst for division.... 12:00  |  Wafa 20/01/09
  14.   well said Dino: with friends like George W. 12:02  |  john and the TRUTH! 20/01/09
  15.   He did the right thing in the wrong way. 12:22  |  ScotGuy 20/01/09
  16.   Bush`s legacy 13:01  |  Steve J 20/01/09
  17.   well done bush-you will be remembered 13:23  |  History will show 20/01/09
  18.   Bush may be percieved as a friend of Israel 13:37  |  Chris Linthwaite 20/01/09
  19.   Some friend 14:51  |  W 20/01/09
  20.   Bush not even a friend to USA 15:33  |  sable 20/01/09
  21.   A Missionary from Syria ....Please Haaretz post! 15:51  |  Maria 20/01/09
  22.   Bush`s failures 16:09  |  Anonymous 20/01/09
  23.   To Clickfool (# 4). Friend or not... 16:15  |  flyingdoc57 20/01/09
  24.   With friends like Bush . . . 16:21  |  Lisa 20/01/09
  25.   "I have come to praise Bush, not to bury him" 16:33  |  Anonymous 20/01/09
  26.   bush bash 16:46  |  richard 20/01/09
  27.   Reply to Tod Zukerman (Post No. 2) 16:48  |  Johnny Weintraub 20/01/09
  28.   George W Bush - The Great 17:02  |  George Duraisingh 20/01/09
  29.   bad president 17:11  |  raoul 20/01/09
  30.   Bush was a good friend of Likud 17:14  |  Larry 20/01/09
  31.   With friends like this, who needs enemies? 17:35  |  MichaelF 20/01/09
  32.   Birds of a Feather 17:37  |  cjb` 20/01/09
  33.   #3 - ignorant indrajaya 17:37  |  MichaelF 20/01/09
  34.   Prophecy 17:37  |  L.Leger 20/01/09
  35.   Obama will be remebered in spite of his mistakes 17:46  |  Gary 20/01/09
  36.   18:03  |  Jerry 20/01/09
  37.   Bush has been Israel`s greatest supporter 18:10  |  Jonathan 20/01/09
  38.   Ridiculous Editorial 18:10  |  Greg 20/01/09
  39.   Bush will be remembered as your last best chance 18:19  |  Kris Lazar 20/01/09
  40.   I feel sorry 18:24  |  Harry 20/01/09
  41.   George Bush 18:59  |  David 20/01/09
  42.   JUST SAY NO TO KADIMA! Let`s hope for no more appeasing govts. 20:03  |  Chaim 20/01/09
  43.   Bush is a friend of anti terror fighters . 20:42  |  TOMY 20/01/09
  44.   Bush was at least true to his believes 20:43  |  Alan 20/01/09
  45.   To be or not to be a friend.. 20:48  |  Rosita 20/01/09
  46.   Swiss , welcome back , as you say 20:49  |  TOMY 20/01/09
  47.   Bush turned to Israel to learn how to torture and humiliate Arabs 20:58  |  Pablo B 20/01/09
  48.   Tell me who your frioends are. 21:34  |  Fred 20/01/09
  49.   To # 37 Pablo 21:38  |  Johann 20/01/09
  50.   Pablo`s Bush-Israel-Torture fantasy 21:41  |  David 20/01/09
  51.   Pablo`s Bush-Israel-Torture Analogy Sandwich 21:55  |  David 20/01/09
  52.   #21 Maria: John the Baptist tomb is inside the Ommayad Mosque 21:55  |  Wise Syrian 20/01/09
  53.   Bush: A friend of Israel and the Palestinians 22:05  |  Leon 20/01/09
  54.   #47 Pablo B , you are right , Israel teaches the 22:48  |  TOMY 20/01/09
  55.   #49 Johann , A must read for all . 22:51  |  TOMY 20/01/09
  56.   Johann`s justification for US/Israeli torture is "he did it first 23:26  |  Pablo B 20/01/09
  57.   Bush for a friend is no blessing 23:32  |  L Parker 20/01/09
  58.   Bush mistakes & Arab terror 23:40  |  Johann 20/01/09
  59.   I`d rather side with Israel than with the world 23:43  |  Maria 20/01/09
  60.   Bush was the worst ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 23:44  |  Scott 20/01/09
  61.   God bless George Bush 23:51  |  CM 20/01/09
  62.   Bush starts war? The American soldiers go to Iraq 23:53  |  Maria 20/01/09
  63.   Hey before you call Bush as a bad president... 23:55  |  Maria 20/01/09
  64.   Bush not a friend of America 02:27  |  possum 21/01/09
  65.   To # 53 - Pablo ...by the way Bush is gone ! 02:39  |  Johann 21/01/09
  66.   The power of hope 02:57  |  Aussie 21/01/09
  67.   Understatement 04:02  |  Bazmann 21/01/09
  68.   Bush was as good as it gets for the time in history 05:25  |  Nechama 21/01/09
  69.   Friend Bush 05:51  |  Steve Beikirch 21/01/09
  70.   Gaza 08:42  |  Udayakumar 21/01/09
  71.   Sorry--no way. 16:47  |  M. 21/01/09
  72.   #60, Bush may have been a terrible president 02:45  |  Gary 22/01/09
 Read & React
Kadima: Netanyahu-led Israel would clash with Obama
Responses: 81
Rabbi Menachem Froman: Can we change Hamas? It's worth a try
Responses: 65
R. Pedatzur: Since there was no real war in Gaza, Israel can't declare victory
Responses: 34
Gideon Levy: A vote for Livni, Barak or Netanyahu is a vote for an extremist
Responses: 47


More Headlines
20:12 Livni: Israel and U.S. will work together on two-state solution
19:26 Hamas: Israel proposes 18-month Gaza truce, but we insist on just one year
19:30 U.S. to offer witness in Olmert probe partial immunity over testimony given in Israel
16:41 Barak: Gaza op caused huge backlog in Egypt of arms meant for Hamas
18:55 Iran official: Obama Mideast policy probably same as Bush
14:41 IAF jets fly over Gaza, sparking fears of new Israeli offensive
19:24 Israel to grant legal aid to IDF troops accused of Gaza war crimes
20:05 IDF adds antelope to its arsenal in fight against Hezbollah
18:34 Israel Bank predicts downward spiral amid global economic crisis
13:50 'U.S. Navy hunting Iran ships sent to rearm Hamas in Gaza'
06:38 ANALYSIS / Gaza gains have softened Israel stance on Shalit deal
11:30 Report: Turkey says Israel must really want peace for it to broker Syria talks again
12:10 Will uranium shortage really slow down the Iranian nuclear program?
14:52 Top Anglican priest raps BBC: Gaza appeal is not 'Hamas asking for arms'
12:29 Moroccan organizations in Holland agree to attend Auschwitz memorial
06:35 ANALYSIS / Netanyahu's anti-Obama flak jacket
07:58 Mitchell due in Israel Wed. as Obama launches peacemaking efforts
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Summer in Israel
Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
You can make a direct IMPACT!
on the life of an Israeli soldier
State of Israel Bonds
During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
SURF RAMBAM
Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
Summer Camp in Israel
The best place for your children this summer
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved