Tel Aviv or Jerusalem as Israel's diplomatic capital?

[Guest]

This seems to be a heavily loaded question. Romney calling Jerusalem Israel's capital is 'unacceptable,' says Erekat - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/romney-calling-jerusalem-israel-s-capital-is-unacceptable-says-erekat-1.454662)

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/07/30/3102086/pa-official-romney-recognizing-jlem-as-israels-capital-unacceptable

http://swampland.time.com/2012/07/29/in-israel-romney-declares-jerusalem-to-be-capital/

http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/mitt-romney-israel-436129

Mitt Romney has not come off as being a very prudent leader in the two stops he has made in his road trip. This seems like the much more serious misstep just to try to capture more of the US Jewish vote he wakes the dragon so to speak which so many diplomats from many countries have tried to keep asleep.

[Guest]

Palestinians dispute Romney statement that Jerusalem is "Israel's capital" - chicagotribune.com (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-romney-israel-palestiniansbre86t0jv-20120730,0,4690984.story)

"Previous U.S. presidential candidates, including Senator Obama in June 2008, have referred to Jerusalem as Israel's capital ahead of elections, only to row back when taking power and suggest the issue should be resolved by negotiations." from Chicago Tribune linked article.

[Guest]

Mr Romney, like most candidates, can be loose cannons.

[Guest]

I'm surprised that anyone is surprised at the political feinting

[Guest]

looks to me that romney didn't beat around the bush and went straight to telling people that he stands with the state of israel. you can be sure that will sit well with many who vote in america!

[Guest]

Obama is polling about 65% among jewish voters.

Jewish voters see Willard The Flipper for what he is. Another extreme right wing Con.


2 in 3 Jewish voters back Obama - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/04/twointhree-jewish-voters-back-obama-119467.html)

[Guest]

since you love polls,states strong obama 179,states strong Romney 180 in electoral totals and gap in states leaning o are smaller

[Guest]

Why do people believe that we have the right to tell Israel what its capital is? Our capital is Washington, DC and no nation would dispute that. Germany's capital was in Bonn and now is in Berlin. No nation disputes that or would dispute its right to move its capital again. Israel is a sovereign nation determines where its capital is located.

We have effectively recognized this fact since that is where our Secretary of State and Vice-President have gone to meet with Israeli leaders. Mitt Romney did what a leader should do and made his position clear and unambiguous. The Obama administration cannot answer a direct question on where the capital is located. As with so many issues, their answer is whatever they believe the questioner wants to hear.

Jay Carney refuses to name the capital of Israel. - YouTube

[Guest]

Wolf Blitzer had a interview with Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney without equivocation came down on the side of Israel. Israel declares it's capital is Jerusalem, and Mitt Romney says that's their right as a sovereign nation. Here is part of the text of the interview where a true friend and ally of Israel gives his no nonsense opinion. His statements contrast with the weak kneed efforts of Obama in this regard.

BLITZER: You consider Jerusalem where we're sitting, the King David Hotel here in Jerusalem, do you consider Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel?

ROMNEY: Yes, of course. A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel's capital.

BLITZER: If you become president of the United States, would you move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?

ROMNEY: I think it's long been the policy of our country to ultimately have our embassy in the nation's capital, Jerusalem. The decision to actually make the move is one, if I were president, I would want to take in consultation with the leadership of the government which exists at that time. So I would follow the same policy we have in the past. Our embassy would be in the capital. But that said, the timing of that is something I'd want to work out with the government.

BLITZER: With the government of Israel?

ROMNEY: With the government of Israel.

BLITZER: But every Israeli government has always asked every U.S. government to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

ROMNEY: Well, that would make the decision easy, but I'd still want to have that communication with the government leaders.

BLITZER: So just to be precise. If you're president, you would consult with the Israeli government. And if they said, please move the embassy, you would do that?

ROMNEY: I'm not going to make foreign policy for my nation, particularly while I'm on foreign soil. My understanding is the policy of our nation has been a desire to move our embassy ultimately to the capital. That's something which I would agree with. But I would only want to do so and to select the timing in accordance with the government of Israel.

These are the words of a true leader of a free republic speaking out in support of his country's greatest ally in the region.

I am more proud of Gov. Mitt Romney every day.

Romney: A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel's capital. – CNN Press Room - CNN.com Blogs (http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/29/romney-a-nation-has-the-capacity-to-choose-its-own-capital-city-and-jerusalem-is-israels-capital/)

Romney In Jerusalem Shows Up Weak Obama Relationship With Israelis - Investors.com (http://news.investors.com/article/620353/201207301902/romney-talks-tough-on-iran-in-israel.htm)

[Guest]

"I am more proud of Gov. Mitt Romney every day."

... and I am sure he is equally proud of you, RichieLion. :shrug:

[Guest]

"I am more proud of Gov. Mitt Romney every day."

... and I am sure he is equally proud of you, RichieLion. :shrug:

I would hope so if he knew me. He's a patriotic freedom loving free market candidate who's solid in his love of country.

I bet you wish you could say the same for the guy you support.

[Guest]

Wolf Blitzer had a interview with Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney without equivocation came down on the side of Israel. Israel declares it's capital is Jerusalem, and Mitt Romney says that's their right as a sovereign nation. Here is part of the text of the interview where a true friend and ally of Israel gives his no nonsense opinion. His statements contrast with the weak kneed efforts of Obama in this regard.

BLITZER: You consider Jerusalem where we're sitting, the King David Hotel here in Jerusalem, do you consider Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel?

ROMNEY: Yes, of course. A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel's capital.

BLITZER: If you become president of the United States, would you move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?

ROMNEY: I think it's long been the policy of our country to ultimately have our embassy in the nation's capital, Jerusalem. The decision to actually make the move is one, if I were president, I would want to take in consultation with the leadership of the government which exists at that time. So I would follow the same policy we have in the past. Our embassy would be in the capital. But that said, the timing of that is something I'd want to work out with the government.

BLITZER: With the government of Israel?

ROMNEY: With the government of Israel.

BLITZER: But every Israeli government has always asked every U.S. government to recognize Jerusalem as the capital and to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

ROMNEY: Well, that would make the decision easy, but I'd still want to have that communication with the government leaders.

BLITZER: So just to be precise. If you're president, you would consult with the Israeli government. And if they said, please move the embassy, you would do that?

ROMNEY: I'm not going to make foreign policy for my nation, particularly while I'm on foreign soil. My understanding is the policy of our nation has been a desire to move our embassy ultimately to the capital. That's something which I would agree with. But I would only want to do so and to select the timing in accordance with the government of Israel.

These are the words of a true leader of a free republic speaking out in support of his country's greatest ally in the region.

I am more proud of Gov. Mitt Romney every day.

Romney: A nation has the capacity to choose its own capital city, and Jerusalem is Israel's capital. – CNN Press Room - CNN.com Blogs (http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/29/romney-a-nation-has-the-capacity-to-choose-its-own-capital-city-and-jerusalem-is-israels-capital/)

Romney In Jerusalem Shows Up Weak Obama Relationship With Israelis - Investors.com (http://news.investors.com/article/620353/201207301902/romney-talks-tough-on-iran-in-israel.htm)

The Jerusalem Issue: How Romney Hit the Third Rail of Mideast Diplomacy - Max Fisher - The Atlantic (http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/the-jerusalem-issue-how-romney-hit-the-third-rail-of-mideast-diplomacy/260499/#)

[Guest]

The Jerusalem Issue: How Romney Hit the Third Rail of Mideast Diplomacy - Max Fisher - The Atlantic (http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/07/the-jerusalem-issue-how-romney-hit-the-third-rail-of-mideast-diplomacy/260499/#)

OK, I'll bite. Why did you post this with no words of your own?

I still say Romney shows admirable courage in declaring his support for Israel over all those who use "Palestine" as a truncheon.

What say you?

[Guest]

I would hope so if he knew me. He's a patriotic freedom loving free market candidate who's solid in his love of country.

I bet you wish you could say the same for the guy you support.

How about Mr. Romney buying up companies, selling off assets, disposing to the jobs by outsourcing to foreign countries, and leaving American workers without jobs? Yes, that sure sounds like someone who is patriotic and in love with his country. As for the free market part - I would relabel that as "VULTURE CAPITALISM".

Do some reading about your glorious candidate instead of just wasting keystrokes.

Read about his flip-flopping on your favorite subject of Pro-Choice.

[Guest]

Read about his flip-flopping on your favorite subject of Pro-Choice.

buggyone - the politically correct 'evolve' and its appropriate tenses have replaced flip-flop and its tenses when used as a verb rather than article of wearability. see pres. obama's position on gay marriage for reference. he has seen the light and his position on same has evolved - not flip-flopped.

[Guest]

OK, I'll bite. Why did you post this with no words of your own?

I still say Romney shows admirable courage in declaring his support for Israel over all those who use "Palestine" as a truncheon.

What say you?

I never said I comprehended the complexity of Jerusalem politics. I do know though that Jerusalem is a Holy City to three religions-- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Bound to be many problems with this area.

Mitt Romney jumps in swinging without even really knowing whom he is swinging at and why.

[Guest]

buggyone - the politically correct 'evolve' and its appropriate tenses have replaced flip-flop and its tenses when used as a verb rather than article of wearability. see pres. obama's position on gay marriage for reference. he has seen the light and his position on same has evolved - not flip-flopped.



:highfive:

[Guest]

I never said I comprehended the complexity of Jerusalem politics. I do know though that Jerusalem is a Holy City to three religions-- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Bound to be many problems with this area.

Mitt Romney jumps in swinging without even really knowing whom he is swinging at and why.

I think he knows exactly what he's doing, and what he's doing is standing by Israel unequivocally.

Will this resonate with the Americans Jewish voter?

That's was this is about, although I don't really doubt his sincerity on this issue of Israel's capital.

[Guest]

I think he knows exactly what he's doing, and what he's doing is standing by Israel unequivocally.

Will this resonate with the Americans Jewish voter?

That's was this is about, although I don't really doubt his sincerity on this issue of Israel's capital.

If Mitt Romney gets elected President, I am positive his opinion will change about making Jerusalem the diplomatic capital of Israel.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/o-jerusalem-jerusalem-romney-israel-and-the-future-of-peace/2012/07/30/gJQA5ZMFLX_blog.html

"But here’s the thing about the Middle East: no American entrepreneurial “fix it” approach is going to work. Without recognition of the complex religious and geopolitical histories and contradictions of the religion, Americans will only make things worse." from the Washington Post blog above linked article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem

If Romney wants another war in the Mideast that pulls in US troops, he will keep kicking this hornet's nest in Jerusalem. The more plausible approach though is that his promise to Israel politiians to make Jerusalem the Capital will evolve if he becomes US President.