GCC–Russia Ministerial Meeting condemns Israeli aggression against Qatar    Belarus pardons scores of prisoners 'at the request' of Trump, Lukashenko says    Ryan Routh cut off by judge as trial over attempted Trump assassination begins    South Korea workers detained in US raid head home    Summer 2025 sees 32 million tourists in Saudi Arabia with over SR53 billion spending    Saudi, Dutch FMs discuss over phone regional developments    Al-Futtaim BYD KSA hosts first Super Hybrid Tech Day in Saudi Arabia First event of its kind in the region showcases breakthrough super hybrid technology    Saudi Arabia provides grant to supply Syria with 1.65 million barrels of crude oil    Saudi interior minister calls Qatari counterpart to express full solidarity    Saudi Industrial Production Index rises 6.5% in July 2025    King Charles and Prince Harry finally reunite after 19 months apart    Arcapita acquires C&K Paving, expanding its global business services portfolio    PIF chief says Saudi transformation could outpace China's, outlines 'filtration' investment process The Fund to unveil its next five-year strategy soon    Anastacia: Arnold Schwarzenegger made me sing Whatta Man 12 times    Thousands pay their last respects to Giorgio Armani, private funeral on Monday    French doctor goes on trial for poisoning 30 patients, 12 fatally    The key to happiness    Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. set to meet in exhibition boxing match in 2026    Al Hilal sign Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicek on €22m deal until 2029    Al Qadsiah sign German midfielder Julian Weigl to strengthen defensive midfield    Al Ahli secure Flamengo starlet Matheus Gonçalves in long-term deal through 2027    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Begging For The Jewish Votes
Published in AL HAYAT on 31 - 07 - 2012

The statements of Mitt Romney, the US presidential Republican candidate, during his visit to Israel, stir a certain level of pity for the man more than actual criticism of his positions. He seemed to be begging for the votes of the Jewish American voters in front of Benjamin Netanyahu. He was being more conservative than Netanyahu himself with respect to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and Iran, and Israel's right to deal a military blow to Iran if necessary. In addition to the begging, he seemed to be completely ignorant of the conflict's realities and history. He also disregarded the fact that many candidates, the last of which was George Bush, had preceded him into making promises to acknowledge Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and transferring the American embassy to Jerusalem. However, the other American relations with some major countries in the region such as Saudi Arabia prevented the implementation of that electoral promise. The reason is that Jerusalem represents an important religious symbol and it would not be an easy thing for the American Administration to confront all the Muslims. In addition, the Christian references there are also refusing to acknowledge the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem.
As for Romney's position concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, this has stirred criticism within the US itself because, traditionally, external platforms are not to be used to criticize the American president by his competitor. Romney's support of the preemptive military strike against Iran as an alternative for the politics of increased sanctions followed by the Obama Administration seemed to constitute a laughingstock for the Israelis themselves. Shaul Mofaz, the former defense minister and the current leader of the opposing Kadima party, responded by warning that a blow against Iran will result in a disaster for Israel. Mofaz added that the Israeli officials must be asking themselves two questions before staging this action. First, will this blow lead to a strategic change in the Iranian politics? The answer is, of course not. Second, will a military attack against Iran lead to a war in the region? And the answer is, definitely. This is the reason why Mofaz defended the politics of the sanctions and the military containment, especially in light of the mystery surrounding the progress of the Iranian nuclear program.
Yesterday, Mitt Romney proved that his stupidity is only matched by his arrogance when he considered – through a speech he made on the occasion of a fundraising activity for his campaign – that the reason for the Israeli economic success in comparison with the Palestinian economy firstly consists of “divine providence" followed by “the ability of the Jewish people to be creative in the face of the challenges." Surprisingly, Romney made these statements one day after his meeting with the head of the Palestinian cabinet, Salam Fayad, who must have explained to him that his cabinet strives on the grants and donations of the donor countries because the land where this cabinet “rules" is subjected to the Israeli occupation, which is the main reason for the Palestinian economic, humanitarian and also political tragedies.
This is indeed the season for begging for the Jewish American votes. This time four years ago, Barack Obama was launching his campaign in Israel in preparation of the conference of the Democratic Party prior to the elections. However, Mitt Romney's statements not only reveal his stupidity and the shallowness of the politicians in his party – they had nominated Sarah Palin for vice president during the last elections – but it also adversely affects his country's interests and role in the region. His statements also raise the level of the fears from the Iranian nuclear power to an extent that the Iranians actually desire without being based on any facts. In addition, these statements stir a lot of concern over the fate of our region and the world in the upcoming years if this man were allowed to access the White House, God forbid!


Clic here to read the story from its source.