On this day in 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama continued his Middle East and European tour, making a surprise visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall wearing a yarmulke and placing a prayer in the wall. Then he was off to Berlin where he met with Chancellor Merkel before speaking to a crowd estimated at 200,000 in front of the Victory Column. Stressing the "burdens of global citizenship," Obama told the crowd: "Partnership and cooperation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity."
President Obama is staying stateside during the summer of 2012, but his opponent Mitt Romney leaves today for London where he will kick off a week-long trip to Britain, Israel and Poland. Before leaving U.S. soil, Romney spoke to the VFW and delivered - according to the Los Angeles Times - "a scathing indictment of President Obama's defense and foreign policies." National polls however, show the public giving the president good marks on his foreign policy record.
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Tuesday
Monday
Middle East Peace
Continuing his July 2008 Middle East and European tour, Barack Obama visited Sderot, an Israeli city near the Gaza border that sustained frequent rocket attacks. In a news conference, Obama warned of the danger if Iran obtained nuclear weapons. Obama also visited with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Abbas in the West Bank, pledging his commitment to the peace process.
Later this week in 2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will visit with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Although the relationship between Obama and Netanyahu has been strained, Netanyahu has promised to receive Romney with "the same openness that I received another presidential candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama [in 2008]."
Later this week in 2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will visit with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Although the relationship between Obama and Netanyahu has been strained, Netanyahu has promised to receive Romney with "the same openness that I received another presidential candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama [in 2008]."
Missile Defense
On July 9, 2008, GOP presidential candidate John McCain said that a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic was needed to protect Israel against attack by Iran. Democratic candidate Barack Obama disagreed, saying that Iran should be contained through sanctions.
In September 2009, The New York Times reported that President Obama scrapped the missile defense shield program and ordered development of a new system to meet a changing threat from Iran. “This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program,” the president said.
In September 2009, The New York Times reported that President Obama scrapped the missile defense shield program and ordered development of a new system to meet a changing threat from Iran. “This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program,” the president said.
Sunday
Over There
In late June 2008, the Obama campaign announced plans to travel overseas in mid-July, with visits to Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, France, Germany, and London. Initially, the stop in Berlin was to include a speech at the Brandenburg Gate, where U.S. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan gave memorable speeches. But the Berlin location was later changed to the Victory Column.
Early in July 2012, GOP candidate Mitt Romney announced plans for a foreign trip this summer to include stops in Israel and London, with consideration also given to Germany and Poland.
A recent US News & World Report article states that Romney has said he will "do the opposite" of Obama on Israel, but has not specified details. The article also quotes an Obama spokesman's reply: "Governor Romney has said he would do the opposite of what President Obama has done in our relations with Israel. Now he must specify how - does that mean he would reverse President Obama's policies of sending Israel the largest security assistance packages in history? Does it mean he would let Israel stand alone at the United Nations, or that he would stop funding the Iron Dome system? Does it mean he would abandon the coalition working together to confront Iran's nuclear ambitions?"
Early in July 2012, GOP candidate Mitt Romney announced plans for a foreign trip this summer to include stops in Israel and London, with consideration also given to Germany and Poland.
A recent US News & World Report article states that Romney has said he will "do the opposite" of Obama on Israel, but has not specified details. The article also quotes an Obama spokesman's reply: "Governor Romney has said he would do the opposite of what President Obama has done in our relations with Israel. Now he must specify how - does that mean he would reverse President Obama's policies of sending Israel the largest security assistance packages in history? Does it mean he would let Israel stand alone at the United Nations, or that he would stop funding the Iron Dome system? Does it mean he would abandon the coalition working together to confront Iran's nuclear ambitions?"
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