In Jerusalem, Romney sends strong message to Iran

In Jerusalem, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is on campaign tour to Israel and Poland, publicly stated that protecting Israel is his solemn duty and moral imperative. Romney, who presented himself as Israel’s best friend, stressed that keeping Tehran from developing nuclear weapons would be his highest national security priority if elected president of the United States.

In his address Romney highlighted the shared ideas and interests he notices between the U.S. and Israel, but put forward very little details about his foreign policy ideas.

“We have a solemn duty and a moral imperative to deny Iran’s leaders the means to follow through on their malevolent intentions,” Mr. Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, told an audience of about 300, according to the NY Times. “We must not delude ourselves into thinking that containment is an option.”

A top adviser earlier said Mitt Romney would hold up an Israeli military attack against Iran if all choices had been worn out, but the contender himself avoided reiterating that position.

Romney’s senior foreign policy advisor, Dan Senor, said earlier: "If Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from developing that capability, the governor would respect that decision,” according to Reuters.

In Jerusalem, Romney uttered strong support for the coalition between the U.S. and Israel and appeared to hint that President Obama had let the affiliation have difficulties.

On Sunday, Romney pronounced Jerusalem to be the capital of the Jewish state besides reiterating that the U.S. will not turn away from its dedication and obligations to Israel. It is pertinent to mention here that President Obama, while sticking to the decades of official American policy, is reluctant to call Jerusalem the capital of Israel because Palestinians also see the city as the potential capital of the country they are hoping for.

Analysts believe that Romney’s Jerusalem fundraiser could bring him millions of dollars for campaign fund. It symbolizes the second funding episode all through his trip, following his London event which attracted around 250 people to a $2,500 per person fundraiser.

The Republican presidential candidate flew to Israel from Britain, where he came under severe public and media fire by questioning London’s readiness for the Olympics. He is scheduled to end his international tour in Poland.