Editorial: Volatile Mideast has new hope for peace

Tuesday, May 18, 1999 | 2:49 a.m.

The differences between the two candidates were stark. Netanyahu was a polished campaigner who knew how to effectively use television. Barak, meanwhile, has been described as lacking charisma and as coming across stiff on television. Barak may not have been telegenic, but his convincing mandate demonstrated the resonant appeal of his "One Umbrella" campaign that was secular and crossed all religious lines.

On key Palestinian issues there were differences as well. In contrast to Netanyahu, Barak did not dismiss the possibility of creating a Palestinian state in portions of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It also is anticipated that Barak will implement the promised West Bank troop withdrawals. Netanyahu agreed to the land-for-security accords reached last October, but his on-again, off-again diplomacy with Yasser Arafat stalled the peace talks.

Israel is the only democracy in the volatile Middle East. The success of this longtime U.S. ally -- in assuring its security and promoting peace -- also is vital to our interests. It is telling that Barak's political mentor was the late Yitzhak Rabin, who initiated the peace agreements with the Palestinians. Hopefully Barak can break through the impasse in the peace talks that eluded Netanyahu.