On Israel visit, Romney can expect warm Israeli embrace, chilly Palestinian reception
By Amy Teibel
JERUSALEM - Mitt Romney's support for Israel will likely earn the
presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee a warm welcome from
Israeli leaders when he meets with them Sunday — and a frosty reception
from Palestinians, who fear he would do little to advance their stalled
statehood dreams.
Romney, who hopes to defeat Democratic President Barak Obama in the November general election, touched down in Tel Aviv on Saturday night as part of a three-nation foreign tour that includes Britain and Poland. He hopes it will boost his credentials to direct U.S. national security and diplomacy.
The visit to Israel comes at a time when its leaders are weighing a military attack on Iran, the neighbouring regime in Syria is looking increasingly shaky and Mideast peace talks are going nowhere.
Romney, a longtime friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to play up his critique of Obama's posture toward the Jewish state and his handling of Iran's suspected nuclear weapons ambitions.
Israeli political scientist Abraham Diskin says Romney can expect an "enthusiastic" reception, both because of his solid record of pro-Israel comments — and because he's not Obama.
"What interests Israelis is Israel," Diskin said. "Romney has a very pro-Israel stance. He is very suspicious of the Arab world. (Israelis) are very suspicious of Obama."
Romney, who hopes to defeat Democratic President Barak Obama in the November general election, touched down in Tel Aviv on Saturday night as part of a three-nation foreign tour that includes Britain and Poland. He hopes it will boost his credentials to direct U.S. national security and diplomacy.
The visit to Israel comes at a time when its leaders are weighing a military attack on Iran, the neighbouring regime in Syria is looking increasingly shaky and Mideast peace talks are going nowhere.
Romney, a longtime friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to play up his critique of Obama's posture toward the Jewish state and his handling of Iran's suspected nuclear weapons ambitions.
Israeli political scientist Abraham Diskin says Romney can expect an "enthusiastic" reception, both because of his solid record of pro-Israel comments — and because he's not Obama.
"What interests Israelis is Israel," Diskin said. "Romney has a very pro-Israel stance. He is very suspicious of the Arab world. (Israelis) are very suspicious of Obama."
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