Newt Gingrich came under fire last week over his comments the the Palestinians are “an invented people”, in The Republican debate on Saturday night Newt Gingrich stood by his assertion claiming quite frankly that what he said is historically correct, and that “Somebody ought to have the courage to tell the truth, These people are terrorists, they teach terrorism in their schools … it’s fundamentally the time for somebody to have the guts to say enough lying about the Middle East.”
In response Mitt Romney rebuked Gingrich’s comment by saying “If I’m president of the United States, I will exercise sobriety, care, stability. chiding Gingrich for shooting statements that could have repercussions in the unstable political climate of the Middle East.
“I’m not a bomb-thrower, rhetorically or literally,” Mr. Romney said.
The contrast between the two leading Republican candidates neatly illustrate the sharp contrast not only in their leadership style but in some basic understanding of diplomatic policy. At the same time that Republicans are appealing to American Jews, not necessarily the Ultra-Orthodox community that traditionally vote for National Republican candidates.
But within the Orthodox Jewish community there is also a battle over minds, over who is the most Pro Israeli candidate in the race, and who is most to be trusted to stand with Israel in these challenging times. Orthodox Jews according to The Jewish Week are divided in their support of the frontrunners Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney:
“In an interview, Kadish, who is New York’s male representative to the Republican National Committee, said he has been a longtime supporter of Gingrich.
“He’s the most knowledgeable person out there,” he said. “I’ve read his books, seen his videos, heard his speeches, met with him on many occasions. He has a real commitment to getting the country in order and protecting our allies.”
“He’s out front on energy independence and understands what has to be done. And he’s always been there for Israel.”
Gingrich has not yet resonated well with New York’s Republican Jews. As the April 24 primary here approaches, it remains to be seen if that will change as he surges in the polls or if they will pump more money into Romney’s campaign, seeing him as more electable.
“[Gingrich] was extremely impressive,” said Hikind, a Democrat, who has been said to be considering an endorsement of Gingrich, whose views are in line with many constituents of Hikind’s heavily Orthodox Borough Park and Flatbush district. “There are a lot of people from my part of the Jewish community that are pro-Israel that really like the guy. There’s no question that he is refreshing.” Referring to Gingrich’s admitted extramarital affairs, Hikind said, “Everyone in the world knows he comes with a lot of baggage. He has addressed it. That really doesn’t bother you much; people make mistakes.
A prominent Jewish Romney supporter, Lee Cowen, who serves on the former Massachusetts governor’s finance committee, said Gingrich’s popularity was part of “a game of Whack-A-Mole” in the GOP primary.
“Romney is the best qualified candidate to be president and his campaign has been steady and strong,” said Cowen, a Washington lobbyist. “But you keep having these other candidates who are popular but flame out for one reason for another. I suspect that will be the case with Newt Gingrich. He’s a very smart person and a great visionary but I just din’t think he’s well-rounded enough for an executive role in terms of running the country.”
The differences between these two groups are about substance and style. Yet there is also another factor that has to be taken in count,and that is an understanding of American policy and diplomacy at large. While the Israeli Government moved over the course of recent years to the center, enjoying support from an overwhelming majority Israeli public, The American administration cannot afford to be at the right of the Israeli people.
That is still an uphill battle to move from the left where the current administration has taken its public diplomacy and foreign policy, to the center which is supporting the Israeli and Palestinian people’s quest for a viable secure peace and the treatment of our ally and Friend in the Middle East region.
The question is, which one do Republican voters want.
Ideological pro Israelis, those who still believe in a greater Israel (Eretz Yisrael Hashleima) find in Newt Gingrich’ view and his pro Israel record a reason to cozy up to him and support him, especially when the fight is who can take on the President and counter Obama’s Israel record, and Newt fit’s into that model of a strong character that has the courage and conviction to stand up, speak out, the Truth and expose the lies that has been shoved under the carpet for years.
However those who are pro Israel by passion, by personal experience (visited or learned in Israel) and by understanding the importance of the US-Israel strategic alliance. Understand that an American president must be at the center of diplomacy, represent America’s National security interests and serve as a mediator in the middle east conflict.
There will always be disagreement’s between the Israeli government and the American administration, but these disagreement or consultations must be discussed and held behind close doors, in a one on one open sincere dialogue between the two leaders.
Over the past few months, getting to know the candidates in search for an alternative foreign policy approach and an electable candidate that can beat the President, learning their positions and studying their proposals. one can certainly see the differences and make up their mind over who will respectfully serve the the pro Israel community’s desire in electing a President that will always stand with Israel, support Israel, but also serve as the voice of the American people that understand the importance of a strong and close US-Israel alliance.
Now, putting aside the differences between the two men in terms of policy. This is what really separates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich: one is measured and mild-mannered, the other is anything but.
This is why Mitt Romney is most suitable to serve as President of the United states as a partner and a friend to Israel.
UPDATE: The Algemeiner has this report about Orthodox Jews backing Rick Santorum in this chaotic horse race. As the NY primaries might for the first time be a contested state for the Republican nomination.
The Jewish Week quotes Republican Jews who back Mitt Romney. Why Romney, and not Santorum is the preferable candidate for the Jewish community:
“Among Jewish Republicans, the bulk of the party’s Jewish donors and advisers have signed with Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor’s relative moderation was seen as a natural fit for a GOP Jewish constituency that is hawkish on Israel and often fiscally conservative but averse to extremes on social issues.
“We know he’s a great friend of Israel,” Fred Zeidman, a Houston lawyer who is one of Romney’s leading fundraisers, said of Santorum. “I do fear his social views will be anathema to a great deal of our Jewish community.”
Romney Republicans like Zeidman have counted on Romney’s moderation to carry swing states where substantial Jewish populations could make a difference — for instance, in Florida, Pennsylvania and Nevada.”