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January 27, 2012

Gingrich, Romney blame Palestinians for lack of peace

by Ron Kampeas, JTA

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Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich put the blame for the impasse in Middle East peace talks squarely on the Palestinians.

The candidates were responding a a question at the latest GOP debate Thursday night, in Jacksonville, Fla., from an audience member, Abraham Hassan.

“How would a Republican administration help bring peace to Palestine and Israel when most candidates barely recognize the existence of Palestine or its people?” he asked. “As a Palestinian-American Republican, I’m here to tell you we do exist.”

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, cited what he depicted as examples of Palestinian incitement by both Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

“The Israelis would be happy to have a two-state solution,” Romney said. “It’s the Palestinians who don’t want a two-state solution, they want to eliminate the state of Israel. And I believe America must say the best way to have peace in the Middle East is not for us to vacillate and appease, but it is to say we stand with our friend Israel.”

Gingrich, the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, defended earlier comments in which he described the Palestinians as an “invented people,” and added: “My goal for the Palestinian people would be to live in peace, to live in prosperity, to have the dignity of a state, to have freedom, and they can achieve it any morning they are prepared to say Israel has a right to exist.”

He repeated a pledge to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem on his first day as president.

CNN, the debate broadcaster, did not give the other candidates, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), an opportunity to respond.

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I wonder if Mr. Hassan believes the candidates are simply pandering to that hugely populous Jewish community of voters.  And although Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney could have answered with more accomodation to a greater number of Muslim voters, their conviction to stand with Israel demonstrates how our government will not allow Palestinian disavowalment of the Jewish state, stemming from their hatred and resentment of the Jewish people anywhere.

Comment by lee mark on 1/28/12 at 2:01 am

Videos of full responses:

Romney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e5SWYsKB94&feature=player_embedded

Gingrich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5KK6basfKMk

Comment by paul jeser on 1/28/12 at 3:45 pm

That just shows one of two things. They are part of the problem, or they are not that bright! Sorry,I just thought of another one; They think we all are limited in our comprehension and knowledge of the history and facts? They need to read a book called; The history of Zionism,published 1988. Or Illan Pappe; The forgotten Palestinians.  With leaders like these, no wonder the country is going down the drain!

Comment by Monir on 1/28/12 at 9:01 pm

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