Seymour Reich, a former two-term chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is concerned with Kadima candidate Shaul Mofaz’s inability to converse fluently in English. Reich explains that as was send during the tenure of Defense Minister Amir Peretz, despite his tenacious efforts he was not able to express his thoughts and ideas in English, and this resulted in a barrier between the senior Israeli leader and the American Jewish community.

Reich says that Mofaz enjoys popularity in the White House, especially because of his hard-line approach regarding Iran.

Reich commends Tzipi Livni for her progress in conversing in English, but cautions she still needs a great deal of improvement. The foreign minister he explains maintains excellent relations with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Reich goes on to explain that the highest rating for oratory skills undoubtedly goes to Binyamin Netanyahu, but he adds the American Jewish community does not remember him fondly due to his campaign with the Evangelistic Christians against Clinton and the Oslo Agreement as well as his inability to stand by his word regarding the agreement achieved at Wye Plantation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)