Romney: U.S. has 'a solemn duty and a moral imperative' to protect Israel from a nuclear-armed Iran

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/31/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Romney in Jerusalem declares the U.S. 'recognizes Israel's right to defend itself'

Giving a much anticipated speech in Jerusalem, Republican candidate for the presidency Mitt Romney stood tall on the U.S. support for the nation of Israel. Romney says that it is top priority to thwart a nuclear-armed Iran, declaring that it is "a solemn duty and a moral imperative" to achieve that goal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Romney as 'a representative of the United States' and said he agrees with his approach to the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Make no mistake, the ayatollahs in Iran are testing our moral defenses," Romney said. "They want to know who will object and who will look the other way. We will not look away nor will our country ever look away from our passion and commitment to Israel. . We recognize Israel's right to defend itself."

Romney also said that Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Top foreign policy adviser Dan Senor Romney would support Israel in striking militarily on Iran in order to defend itself against a nuclear-capable Tehran.

"Gov. Romney believes we should employ any and all measures to dissuade the Iranian regime from its nuclear course, and it is his fervent hope that diplomatic and economic measures will do so," Senor said. "In the final analysis, of course, no option should be excluded."

Clarifying his position, Romney added "I respect the right of Israel to defend itself, and we stand with Israel in peace," Romney said in an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation."

On a seven-day overseas trip Romney started last week in England and will continue this weekend in Israel and conclude in Poland.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Romney as "a representative of the United States" and said he agrees with his approach to the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Both men agree that Iran possessing nuclear weapons is the greatest danger facing the world. "Mitt, I couldn't agree with you more," Netanyahu told Romney.

"We have to be honest and say that all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian program by one iota," Netanyahu continued. "And that's why I believe that we need a strong and credible military threat coupled with the sanctions to have a chance to change that situation."

Romney also visited Israel's Western Wall, which included a rabbi reading a passage to Romney, who wore a dark blue jacket, tie and a yarmulke.

Hundreds of Jewish worshippers were praying at the site, also referred to as the Wailing Wall, on the holy fasting day of Tisha B'Av. Romney also met with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

In the meantime, there have been newspaper reports here in Israel that says that the Obama administration's top security official has briefed Israel's prime minister on U.S. plans for a possible attack on Iran. The Israeli government has denied the report.

Romney often referred to President Reagan's foreign policy strategy in an interview with CBS. Romney said that Reagan, like him, was a governor, not a senator. Romney also said his foreign policy would be guided by "intellect, resolve and clarity of purpose."

He politely laughed off a question about the upcoming Newsweek cover that suggests he is a wimp and added the magazine incorrectly attempted to make the same point about then-Vice President George H.W. Bush.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Netanyahu, Mitt Romney, Iran, Jerusalem, nuclear capability

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 5 of 5 Comments

Robert Burford
9 months ago
I am in no way trying to support the Palestinians or their political agenda. My point is Jesus point of "loviing one another" They do not have the word of God on their side only the word of Mohammed. We have a duty to support the underdog without promoting their agenda. The palestinians and the syrians need to be treated as human beings.
Rob
9 months ago
When Romney's son's put on a uniform, I'll take all this tough talk seriously. I was with my father this weekend at our local VFW, where they have no love for Obama, trust me, but don't get them started on Romney's Viet Nam antics. In the words of CCR....I'm not fortunate son!
Judy Claar
9 months ago
TA-152-H & Robert Burford: I can see and understand your sympathies for the Palestinian People to a point. Correct me if I am wrong, but has not the Palestinian government been lacking in social justice and just a little unjust? We also know what and where and when outside negative help comes from. They are no friend to the U.S. They housed Bin Ladin. I just viewed a replay of the vote in the U.N. on Israel's becoming a State in black and white on PBS. In the U.N., it takes 2/3 vote of the countries belonging, to pass. ALL ARAB NATIONS voted NO. The seed was planted a long time ago ...and is growing. But for the vision and compassion of the other countries, Israel had a place to go. It has always been God's Chosen People, from whom Christ came, to set Us Free...continuing his heritage, side by side as it were. One only has to know Him, and remember, that besides the Jesus of Forgiveness and Love on the Cross, that He also was the Suffering Servant, the One who carried the weight of the world on His shoulders in carrying the Cross. The same Cross that carried our sins. Our we not also to be like Simon of Cyrene?
towards Israel God's chosen? It is also true, that if Iran, and/or other Arab nations, get hold of weapons, do you not think? just because we leave Israel in the lurch, they will not use those same weapons on us? To me, that is naive thinking. (Oh well, that's me). Anyone, who is Jew or Christian is not of Allah. I hope Jo Ann, who is wiser than I, will pick up here where I left off. In the meantime, my brothers and sisters, I am like you...Praying for a Peaceful world...
Robert Burford
9 months ago
We have a duty to protect every underdog and people trying to live in peace. However the moral imperative is not there.Viet Nam was a civil war that we did not need to be involved. In Syria we have a moral imperative to stop the bloodshed and the We do need to protect Israel but no one talks about the Palestinians who are human beings who need protection also. Israel is not always right. We have a duty to protect them when they are right, but I do not see the moral imperative. We are not doing God's work when we support the inhuman treatment of human beings His creations.
Ta-152-H
9 months ago
Israel can protect itself with it's own atomic weapons that it has had for years now .The Prime Minister of Turkey put the number Israel has in the hundreds.If Iran gets the bomb it would be cheaper in American lives for the U.S.to supply Israel with tanker planes so they can hit Iran if need be and money to buy German built submarines armed with Israel's atomic tip cruise missiles station in the Indian Ocean aimed at Iran.The point is Israel and Iran will just have to face off and work their way through their own little Cold War just like the U.S.and the U.S.S.R did. If the sick-man of Europe Greece can hold the world economies down what would be the result of attacking a country that saddles the worlds oil supplies and has been pointed out will only delay by then a every vengeful Iran for getting a weapon by a few years.

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment