Labels: Haley Barbour, Herzliya Conference
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:43 AM
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In the last couple of weeks, three likely candidates for the Republican nomination for President have been here in Israel. In order of arrival, they are Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Haley Barbour. Why are they coming here? Politico's Alexander Burns explains. Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, who’s also traveling with Barbour’s contingent, pointed out that visiting Israel gives Republicans a chance to show solidarity with a beleaguered ally that’s been distrustful of President Barack Obama.And they didn't even mention that there are more American expats who are registered to vote here than anyplace else in the World.
“If you took a poll of Israelis and asked what they thought about the president and his policies, his marks would be reasonably low, perhaps among the lowest of any in the world. There is a disquiet, an unease, even now in terms of what is happening in Egypt,” Coleman told POLITICO after a Tuesday meeting with the mayor of Jerusalem. “I think most Republican candidates are saying: We could stand a lot more foursquare with our democratic ally.”
Israel’s status as an important stop for presidential candidates isn’t exactly new. Obama visited Israel in the midst of his 2008 campaign. Back in 1998, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush went to Israel and got a helicopter tour from Ariel Sharon as part of an effort to show his mettle on the international stage.
But Israel has loomed ever larger in Republican politics since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, particularly among Jewish conservatives and evangelical voters who cared deeply about Israel’s well being to begin with.
One reason Israel is so important to evangelicals is its biblical role in setting the stage for the Second Coming of Jesus—its survival is essential.
For others, a country that was already a U.S. ally has become a symbol of Western values under siege in a region swept with violent extremism. For a political party defined for much of the last decade by its stance on fighting radical Islam, there’s no foreign nation that can command greater sympathy.
Labels: Campaign 2012, Haley Barbour, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Republican Jewish Coalition, Republicans
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:06 PM
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This trip will include briefings and meetings with senior leaders in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It will also include touring important sites in the country. In addition, given the Governor's strong interest in energy issues, there will be visits to several sites such as the Noble Energy offshore gas rig and the Better Place electric car facility outside Tel Aviv. The trip will conclude with Governor Barbour making a major address at the prestigious Herzliya Conference on February 9.No word on a visit by President Obama.
RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, "We are especially pleased that Governor and Mrs. Barbour will visit Israel at this incredibly important time. The Middle East faces many challenges, from the instability in Lebanon and Egypt and the threat of a nuclear Iran to the continuing danger posed by Hamas in Gaza. As Iran and its proxies attempt to expand their reach in the region, it is vitally important that American and Israeli officials build and nurture a strong partnership in the fight against terrorism.
"This visit will give Governor Barbour the opportunity to learn more about the difficulties facing Israel, about the current thinking of Israel's political, military, and economic leaders, and about the Jewish state's exciting advancements in the development of new technologies."
Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, Haley Barbour, Jon Voight, Mike Huckabee, Politics, US Politics, World Politics
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:27 AM
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I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
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