new york (jta) | What’s in a word?

President Bush one-upped John Kerry by uttering the word “Israel” in his speech Sept. 2 accepting the Republican presidential nomination, but it’s unclear whether the simple mention of the Jewish state will have any effect on Jewish voters.

“Palestinians will hear the message that democracy and reform are within their reach, and so is peace with our good friend Israel,” Bush said to loud applause from delegates at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Speculation was rampant for weeks that Bush would speak of Israel, largely because Sen. Kerry (D-Mass.) did not when he accepted the Democratic nomination in July.

There also was talk that Bush would speak about international anti-Semitism to catch the attention of undecided Jewish voters.

But in the end Bush said nothing more than Kerry’s running mate, Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), did in his Boston convention speech, when Edwards suggested that a change of president would bring the world to America’s side and ensure “a safe and secure Israel.”

As the campaigns move toward the final stretch, each believes it has the stronger message to the Jewish community and anticipates making a thorough effort to reach what is considered an important voting bloc.

Republican Jews were gratified by Bush’s comment, suggesting that the mere mention of Israel — in an address where every word is carefully considered — was important.

“The silence of John Kerry in his acceptance speech says a lot to the Jewish community,” said Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Democrats downplayed Bush’s Israel reference.

“It’s window dressing,” said Jay Footlik, the Kerry campaign’s senior adviser on Middle East and Jewish affairs. “If I were the Republicans, I would be talking up Israel as well in an attempt to draw support from our community.”