ASHINGTON - George W. Bush accused the Clinton administration yesterday of taking sides in last year's Israeli elections, continuing a pattern of the United States trying ''to make Israel conform to its own plans and timetables.''
A spokesman for Vice President Al Gore, Bush's Democratic rival for the presidency, called the allegation ''irresponsible and reckless'' and said it raised questions about Bush's fitness to be a world leader.
Bush, who cited no specifics to support his accusation, said pressure from the administration on Israel ''is not the path to peace.'' Instead, the Republican said, the Jewish state should be supported as it settles its own affairs.
In the national election, the administration was seen as favoring the eventual winner, Ehud Barak, over then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Among other things, James Carville, President Clinton's former political adviser, filled that same role for Barak.
Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said the Texas governor also was upset that Clinton pressed for settlement deadlines during the 1998 Wye River peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
With the talks faltering, Clinton held lengthy meetings with both sides on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He also joined Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in setting deadlines this year for a final settlement.
''America should not interfere in Israel's democratic process, and America will not interfere in Israeli elections when I am the president,'' Bush told about 2,000 delegates attending the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
''In recent times, Washington has tried to make Israel conform to its own plans and timetables, but this is not the path to peace,'' he said.
During his remarks, Bush reiterated his support for moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
''As soon as I take office, I will begin the process of moving the US ambassador to the city Israel has chosen as its capital,'' he said to a standing ovation, his only one of the day.
Spokesmen for Gore were eager to comment even before the Texas governor completed his statement about Israel's elections.
''It's irresponsible and reckless for the governor to make such a charge involving a region of the world where people ought to be careful what they're saying,'' said Chris Lehane.
