Image by tamar_levine via Flickrhttp://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/05/19/republicans-obama-undermines-israelRepublican White House hopefuls said President Barack Obama is undermining Israel with his call for the country to cede territory to a Palestinian state.
In his speech on the Mideast and North Africa on Thursday, Mr. Obama outlined a plan that called for establishing a Palestinian state based on Israel’s pre-1967 border – a plan that would require Israel and the Palestinians to swap land.
The proposal sparked an outcry from Republicans in Congress and on the campaign trail. The GOP has been aggressively courting Jewish voters – and donors – in recent years as some Israel backers in the U.S. question the Democrats’ commitment to a strong, independent Israel.
“President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus,” former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said in a statement following Mr. Obama’s sweeping speech about the fundamental changes taking place in the Middle East. “He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace.”
Not to be outdone, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called the president’s support for a plan that would revive borders not seen since the Six-Day War in 1967 “a mistaken and dangerous demand.
“The city of Jerusalem must never be re-divided,” he said. “At this time of upheaval in the Middle East, it’s never been more important for America to stand strong for Israel and for a united Jerusalem.”
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