Analysts talk timing on Iran, U.S. presidential race

April 10, 2012 Leave a comment

By Ari Bildner, Staff Writer

Washington, April 10 – On the eve of fresh international talks with Iran over halting its suspected nuclear weapons program, three top observers of the situation offered predictions for the future of the standoff ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

Brookings Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy senior fellows Shibley Telhami, Suzanne Maloney and Michael Doran all said that envoys to the upcoming P5+1 Talks with Iran this weekend should not expect any breakthroughs.

Some western diplomats hold “a fear of exacerbating the relationship with Iran,” Doran said, while leaders of the Islamic Republic are “masters of spinning nothing into negotiations.”

Yet Telhami said the possibility of negotiation with Iran remains, even if the country thought such talks would be risky if it wanted to preempt what it sees as a credible Israeli threat with an attack on the Jewish state.

Maloney said Congressional Republican’s outmaneuvering of President Obama on sanctions weakened the administration and added to pessimism over the upcoming talks.

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Santorum: Jerusalem is Israel’s Capital

April 9, 2012 1 Comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, April 9 – Rick Santorum came out swinging today against the Obama administration for not officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“It has been longstanding U.S. policy not to officially recognize any part of Jerusalem as part of Israel – and it is dead wrong,” Santorum writes in an op-ed in the New York Daily News. “There is no daylight between my position and the government of Israel’s on the issue of Jerusalem. I voted for the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, I support recognizing a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and I will move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem in compliance with that act.”

Santorum also attacked his rival for the Republican presidential primary:

Unfortunately, I cannot say that my opponent for the Republican Presidential nomination has a different position from that of the President. He has not expressed his opinion about the Obama administration’s position on Jerusalem.

When asked about recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving our embassy there, Mitt Romney is undecided, and said he would consult with the government of Israel. He has been running for President for six years, and I think that is long enough for him to get up to speed on foreign policy and make a decision on this crucial issue.

This editorial was published one day after a New York Times profile about the close relationship between Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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New York Times on Romney and Netanyahu’s Relationship

April 9, 2012 5 Comments

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, April 9 - Michael Barbaro of The New York Times has written a profile of the relationship between Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: A Friendship Dating to 1976 Resonates in 2012.

While Netanyahu is remaining neutral in the U.S. presidential election, the article details how the two leaders first met at Boston Consulting Group in 1976 and continue to remain close.

The ties between Mr. Romney and Mr. Netanyahu stand out because there is little precedent for two politicians of their stature to have such a history together that predates their entry into government. And that history could well influence decision-making at a time when the United States may face crucial questions about whether to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities or support Israel in such an action.

Mr. Romney has suggested that he would not make any significant policy decisions about Israel without consulting Mr. Netanyahu — a level of deference that could raise eyebrows given Mr. Netanyahu’s polarizing reputation, even as it appeals to the neoconservatives and evangelical Christians who are fiercely protective of Israel.

During the Dec. 10 ABC News Republican primary debate, both Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich tried to best each other in who knows Netanyahu better and would therefore be more knowledgeable in how to handle the situation in the Middle East.

Romney discussed how he worked with the Israeli prime minister at Boston Consulting Group and called him his “friend Bibi Netanyahu.” As president, Romney said he would work together with Netanyahu as “partners.”

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Santorum sends holiday greetings

April 7, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, April 7 – Rick Santorum sent holiday greetings yesterday via email to his supporters, wishing them a “blessed Easter” and a “joyous Passover”:

This Sunday, I hope you enjoy a very blessed Easter and as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, let’s remember the true importance of this day and the ultimate sacrifice he made on our behalf.

And while we Christians begin to celebrate Easter, our Jewish friends will start the celebration of Passover this evening. Karen and I also wish all of our Jewish friends a very joyous Passover and hope your celebration is full of family and friends.

Thank you for standing with us and for all you have done and are doing for our campaign.

Mitt Romney also made comments about both Passover and Easter and President Obama created a video with Passover greetings.

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Romney extends Passover greetings

April 6, 2012 2 Comments

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, April 6 – Mitt Romney today made the following statement on Passover:

This Friday night, Jews around the world will join with their families and friends to observe the holiday of Passover. This ancient celebration of freedom reminds us that free people everywhere have a stake in ending oppression. Ann joins me in wishing everyone sitting down for a Passover Seder a joyous time with family and friends.

The former Massachusetts governor also made a statement about Easter:

As we take time off of the campaign trail to gather with family and friends this Easter weekend, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope which he brought to all of mankind.  We are thankful for our brave men and women in uniform who are serving our country in the armed forces and are away from their families on this special day and we pray for their safe return home.  And may the hope and promise which we celebrate at Easter remain with all of us throughout the year.

Yesterday the White House emailed out a video greeting from President Obama wishing the American Jewish community Chag Semeach – Happy Holidays.

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Sarkozy promises to visit Israel, push Middle East peace if re-elected

March 7, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Paris, March 7 – Following President Obama’s and the Republican presidential candidates’ addresses to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy promised on Tuesday if he is re-elected, his second foreign visit would be to Israel and the Palestinian territories to promote a European peace initiative.

“I hope that France, and behind France all of Europe, take the initiative so that 2012 can be the year of peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” Sarkozy said during a television interview with ”Des paroles et des actes” on his re-election campaign, per AFP.

Given the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, Sarkozy said the United States may not be able to play its usual role in the Middle East peace process negotiations right now.

“There is also a presidential election in the United States,” he said. “President Obama, who is a very great president, won’t take the initiative before he’s re-elected – and I hope he will be – but there’s a place for France and a place for Europe.”

France has pushed for both sides to begin direct talks on a two-state solution. Direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have been on hold since late September 2010.

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GOP Hopefuls: Stronger Stand on Iran Needed

March 6, 2012 1 Comment

By Ari Bildner, Staff Writer

Washington, March 6 – On the day of a pivotal primary election, three Republican presidential candidates re-emphasized on Tuesday their commitment to stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and promised to go further than President Barack Obama in standing with Israel on the issue.

“In a Romney administration there will be no gap between our leaders,” former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said. “I will bring the current policy of procrastination toward Iran to an end.”

Romney, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich were speaking to the 14,000-plus delegates at the policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Santorum addressed the convention in person, while Romney and Gingrich appeared via webcam from the campaign trail on “Super Tuesday,” when 10 states hold their Republican primaries.

“While I cannot be with you, I stand with you,” Romney told the more than 13,000 pro-Israel activists attending the session. “I share your commitment to a strong and secure Israel. And I salute your tireless work to strengthen our alliance.”

“A nuclear Iran is not only a problem for Israel,” Romney said. “It is also a problem for America and the entire world.”

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Gingrich: Iran “red line is now”

March 6, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, March 6 – In an address to more than 13,000 Israel activists, Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich said the “red line is now” regarding Iran.

“As president, on my first day, I would undermine and replace the Iranian regime by any means necessary,” Gingrich said during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference via satellite Tuesday morning. “We need a fundamental reassessment of our understanding of radical Islam.”

The former House Speaker also repeated his belief Israel would not have to give advance warning to a Gingrich administration if the prime minister felt the need to take military actions against Iran.

“I would require no advance notice to understand why I would support the rights of Israel to survive in a dangerous world,” Gingrich said.

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Santorum: Iran an “existential threat to freedom-loving people”

March 6, 2012 Leave a comment

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director 

Washington, March 6 – Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum took a day off from the campaign trail on the day of Super Tuesday to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in person.

“I wanted to come off the campaign trail to come here,” he told the 13,000-plus Israel activists. “The threats facing America and her ally Israel warrant the personal attention of presidential candidates.”

The former Pennsylvania senator said Iran is not an existential threat just to Israel, but is an “existential threat to freedom-loving people throughout the world.” He called for a clear ultimatum to the Iranian government to stop production and allow for inspection of all facilities now.

While the speech focused primarily on Iran, Santorum closed his speech by saying the U.S. needs to become energy independent and not rely on the Middle East for oil. He asked the audience to ensure the “radical environmental movement” in the U.S. does not stop domestic oil and gas production.

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Romney, Santorum Confirm Speaking at AIPAC

February 28, 2012 3 Comments

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, Feb. 28 – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have confirmed they will join former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during its annual policy conference.

According to a tweet from AIPAC, Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich are now scheduled to speak to the Policy Conference on Tuesday morning, March 6, also the day of Super Tuesday, when 10 states go to the polls.

AIPAC had originally said Gingrich would address the confab in person on March 5.

Romney is planning to address the Policy Conference via satellite.

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