Prime minister's press aide says world must understand truth about Hamas
Herb Horowitz, right, president of the Central New Jersey Chapter
of the American Jewish Committee, welcomes David Baker.
Israel must be more proactive in making its case to the world, according to David Baker of Jerusalem, senior foreign press aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"The main challenge for Israel right now, number one, would be in educating the world about the threat of Hamas and the present Palestinian government, of which Hamas is the senior partner – and also in encouraging the world not to have any dealings with the Palestinian government until that government recognizes Israel, until Hamas accepts and abides by previous agreements with Israel, and, most importantly, until Hamas specifically renounces terrorism," Baker told the New Jersey Jewish News during a recent visit to Princeton.
"Until that happens," he said, "Israel does not view the present Palestinian government as a negotiating partner."
Baker, a New York native, was in Princeton April 24 for a talk hosted by the Central New Jersey Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. Earlier in the day, Baker met with students at Princeton University's Center for Jewish Life.
About 50 AJC members gathered at the home of Vivian and Harold Shapiro, former president of the university, to hear Baker discuss such matters as Israel's economic health, its ongoing strife with the Palestinians, and his own challenges in dealing with the hundreds of foreign correspondents who flock to Israel for front-line stories from the Middle East.
"It's a very challenging job because of the sheer volume you have and the insatiable appetite of the more than 400 foreign journalists stationed in Israel," Baker said in an interview before his presentation. "Israel is continuously involved in a media war, in that we're aware of the Palestinians' efforts to gain sympathy at Israel's expense."
Baker was also asked whether his job is complicated by the fact that recent polls show that a scant 3 percent of Israelis would vote for Olmert again.
"His approval rating is well known," said Baker, who also served as foreign press liaison for former Israeli premiers Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon. "The prime minister himself has acknowledged it. He described himself as 'an unpopular prime minister.'
"But I explain that despite the poll numbers the prime minister has a job to do and his main worry, concern, and effort is managing the affairs of state of Israel and protecting the State of Israel regardless of poll numbers."
In the aftermath of last summer's very difficult war with Hizbullah in Lebanon, Israel is rebounding, Baker said. "Economically, on the good side, the mood is a mood of progress," he said. "The country is currently enjoying an economic boom."
That boom boosted Israel to an economic growth rate of 5.5 percent in 2006, and a similar rate of growth is forecast for 2007, according to Baker. At the same time, the unemployment rate has fallen to 7.3 percent. "Unemployment is down and all the economic indicators are encouraging, including investments in Israel," he said. "The country is awash in foreign investments. We have our problems, but I think we're on the right track and we'll be okay."
Baker added that he particularly appreciates the investments New Jersey Jews have made in Israel – both economically and personally. "There is a lot of economic activity between New Jersey and Israel," he said. "I think both have a lot to offer.
"The Jewish community of New Jersey has been particularly responsive and supportive in recent years," he said. "During the years of very bad terror attacks, from 2001 to 2003, New Jersey Jews kept coming, even after the unrest…and that was very encouraging, because the Jews of New Jersey stuck with us. Jersey Jews don't scare too easily. They're much more interested to boost our spirits and be with us during difficult times."
As Baker stood in the Shapiros' crowded living room during his talk, he told the gathering that just nine days before, he had been standing outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem as Olmert met with Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Fatah faction of the Palestinian government. They were musing together about the legal and economic institutions of a future Palestinian state, he said.
"We're trying to get to a point where, if the Palestinians cooperate with us, we can actually work out a deal," he said. "We have better things to do than to be involved in an endless conflict going nowhere with the Palestinians.… It's not in Israel's interest for them to suffer. It's in Israel's interest for them to be on an economic par with us."
After his remarks, several AJC members challenged Baker to say why the Israeli government has not responded more forcefully to what many see as biased reporting by the BBC or to the recent move of Britain's National Union of Journalists to boycott Israeli products after BBC reporter Alan Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza – a boycott designed to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
"We are frequently outraged, not only by the BBC, but by other British media," Baker said. "The BBC has frequently been problematic. It's quite biased reporting they have."
However, he said, he doesn't think attacking journalists is the answer. "I don't think having a policy of bashing is effective," he said. "It's much more important to pool our efforts in getting Israel's message out there. I think that's the best way to effect change."
Pressed on the issue of being more proactive in reaching out to foreign journalists to get that message out, Baker acknowledged, "We could be stronger in that area.
"We try to set the agenda, but most of the time, it's very, very difficult," he said. "I think we should be doing more efforts and trying to woo them. That's one of the strongest faults we have."
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