According to a panel of Israeli experts, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is for Israel the "best" of the potential 2008 US presidential candidates. Giuliani was followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Arizona Senator John McCain and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The eight-man panel was assembled by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz, and will continue to rate the potential candidates every month for the next year.
Giuliani enjoyed a particularly strong relationship with the Jewish state during his time as mayor. That bond further strengthened following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. While the panel believes Giuliani would be most sympathetic to Israel, it sees Clinton as the candidate that would most vigorously press for a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.
As an interesting side note, the experts feel none of the leading candidates are likely to order future military action against Iran over its nuclear program. |