Huckabee Bashes Obama's Stance on Israel

This story was filed by CSB Radio News correspondent Robert Berger in Jerusalem.

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(AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Former Arkansas Governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is on a solidarity visit to Israel.

Huckabee visited disputed Jewish communities in East Jerusalem and blasted the Obama administration for demanding a freeze on Israeli settlement expansion.

"How would the government of the United States feel if Prime Minister Netanyahu began to dictate which people could live in the Bronx, which ones could live in Manhattan, which ones could live in Queens, and say, you know, we only allow certain people to live in these neighborhoods," said the Republican, who now hosts his own show on the Fox News Channel.

Pictured above: Back-dropped by Israel's separation barrier, Mike Huckabee, right, walks during a tour in the West Bank village of Abu Dis, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Aug. 17, 2009.

Washington sees the settlements as an obstacle to peace, and the Obama administration has exerted increasing pressure on President Benjamin Netanyahu to stop expansion, but Huckabee said Jews should be allowed to build in their own land.

Most Israeli settlements exist inside Palestinian territory, however, with the exception of East Jerusalem, which is squarely under Israeli
control though home to many Israelis of Arab descent.

Palestinian leaders hope the capital of a future Palestinian state will be in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the pressure coming from Washington does seem to be having some results.

Israeli officials say they have quietly frozen new building projects in the West Bank in response to U.S. pressure.

The Obama administration has demanded a complete freeze on settlement expansion.

Israel hopes a compromise involving a halt to new projects will help heal the rift between the two countries, but current building projects are continuing and Israel won't halt any construction in disputed East Jerusalem.

[eserenes]

Although I agree that the two-state solution shows little hope, I caution the Jewish people of the motives of the evangelist Mike Huckabee.

There is a growing interest in Israel among the Religious Right of the United States political system, and this interest revolves around their religious views rather than traditional U.S. interests such as values and/or useful resources. Particularly, most (if not all) evangelical Christians find a support for Israel fulfilling to their own biblical prophecy. Specifically, evangelical Christians, including Huckabee, believe that Jesus is the "son of God", and believe that Israel is a representation of the "returning of Jesus". For Huckabee and other extremist Christians, Israel must be whole and undivided - explaining why Huckabee suggests the deportation of millions of Palestinians to Saudi Arabia and/or Egypt and the settlements of the Jewish people throughout the land of Israel. If this occurs, so their argument goes, the world will be focused on Israel in preparation for the "return of Jesus".

Looked at the situation from this angle, U.S. Republicans Bush Jr. and Huckabee (both "born-again") offer faith-based support for Israel - allowing Israel the freedom to fulfill their Christian extremist prophecy.

As stated a second ago, although I disapprove of a two-state solution (as it stands) to this conflict, I completely reject Huckabee's proposal and virulently caution the Jewish people to support a Christian fundamentalist. Put differently, one may support the settlements of the Jewish people as a human right (freedom of movement) throughout the land of Israel but one does not (in fact, should not) support Christians' desire to gain control of Israel in hope of the "return of Jesus, their God".

[wyodutch]

I wonder if Huckabee believes that Jesus would drive an Israeli bulldozer... demolishing homes, uprooting orchards and stealing territory so more carpetbaggers can flock in.
.
These Israel-First evangelical whack-jobs are free to support Israel with their own personal funds. They have no right to shake-down the American taxpayer to fund their fantasies.

[mary-miami]

If the Palestinians would stop bombing the Israelites, then the Jews would not have to bomb back, simple. A two state solution is the best, but the Palestinians want the whole pie. However, I don't agree with Huckabee on anything, because number one he is a republican with a very extreme right wing ideology and that is what caused the catastrophic Depression we are in now.

[worldcitizen1]

Both sides are equally guilty of using violence. Also, many Israelis do not want the two state solution, but all of the land that they think God promised them. Israel seems to not want our ( US ) advice, just our tax dollars. Since the UN is responsible for the creation of the state of Israel, they should help resolve the problems they help create. Huckabee is just after the jewish vote, for his political ambitions, not to help make peace.

[rickyg2]

Huckleberry,please stay out of politics.go and get those clergies who abuse our kids in the name of god.

[anticristvs]

Isreal is kept afloat by the massive amounts of money proping it up.
it has no industry, no resources and no shame.
let the wells dry up and youll have the same living standards of any
Gaza slum....
Mr I.R.S. please do not send my tax Dollars to Isreal.
send them to a Palestinian Family Instead.

[earth562]

No industry ?

hmm..your typing away at the PC is because of Israel genuis or the many high technological advances used in medical procedures that your luck will be that your going to need down the road.

Go google "Israel technology" and then compare any Arab country and get back to me otherwise why is it that the Arab world with the trillions of petro dollars can't give their brethren a life of luxury or at least some advances to the world

[anticristvs]

I stand by my post,
Isreal has no Industry to speak of, it would dry up and shrivel away if not for the massive amounts of foreign welfare checks.

[anticristvs]

oh give me a break, Huckleberry Dingalberry in Isreal
promoting a Jeebus Revival...

[TheMasses2016]

No comment - except that Huckabee should be more focused on his fantasy football redraft league than these foriegn affairs.

[babooph]

Go-olie-did anyone tell this stooge that Christ was the son,[illigitimate],of a Roman soldier in Jewish lore?Oh well,leave him to his delusions.

[briannorwood]

Huckabee/Palin in 2012! LOL!

[anticristvs]

you mean Jeshua Ben Panthera?

[drsuz]

Obama/Biden 2012?? Thats even funnier!!!

[tb_whiteness]

"How would the government of the United States feel if Prime Minister Netanyahu began to dictate which people could live in the Bronx, which ones could live in Manhattan, which ones could live in Queens, and say, you know, we only allow certain people to live in these neighborhoods," said the Republican

The United States would not put up a barrier to keep people separated.

[boatdocster]

Agreed, nor would they allow the Russians or Chinese to occupy the borroughs illegally first, then put up barriers to prevent New Yorkers from returning.

[new_yorker]

what about the wall that separates mexico so that the illeagals can't come in??