Mitt Romney to visit Israel this summer

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, seen on screen, speaks before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), via satellite in Washington, Tuesday, March 6, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

(CBS News) During the height of the presidential campaign, Mitt Romney will visit Israel this summer and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, CBS News has confirmed. This will be Romney's fourth visit to Israel but first of the 2012 campaign cycle.

Romney has been highly critical of President Obama's policy toward Israel, saying at this year's American Israel Political Action Committee conference, that the Obama administration "has distanced itself from Israel and warmed to the Palestinian cause."

Wealthy casino mogul and Republican donor, Sheldon Adelson, has said that Israel is "his passion in life."  Romney's announcement comes just a couple of weeks after Adelson, who originally backed Newt Gingrich in the Republican primary, committed $10 million to pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future. Gingrich had suggested during the primaries that Adelson was supporting him largely over his position on Israel.

President Obama visited Israel during his 2008 campaign, where he met with Mr. Netanyahu, who was leader of the Likud Party, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, but the president has not visited the country since he was elected. Mr. Netanyahu has visited the White House seven times and the two have met twice at the United Nations. According CBS News Radio White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, Presidents Nixon, Carter, and Clinton all visited Israel during their first terms. Mr. Obama and Netanyahu are believed to have a frosty relationship, though it appears to have thawed somewhat recently.

Romney has called Netanyahu an "old friend" and pledged to "do the opposite" as Mr. Obama on Israel. The New York Times, which first reported the planned trip, reports that Romney is "also expected to meet with Salam Fayyad, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority; President Shimon Peres of Israel; the American ambassador, Daniel B. Shapiro; and leaders of the opposition Labor Party leaders in Jerusalem."

[MyNameIsLamanLemuel]

As a Mormon, Romney believes that Jews are "gentiles"

[Nocults]

Bishop Romney can explain to Nutsandyahoo why some of his fellow cult members have been running around Jewish cemeteries baptizing dead Jews.

[liberalmike]

Yea they gonna love this from this mormon FREAK!

[TobyPogi]

First of all, Willard is not a U.S. government official, the reason why Willard visiting Israel is to win the Jewish community votes back in the states, and To promise on day one he will help Israel to attack Iran if he wins the election. I don't think Jewish voters will buy his B.S. "Mitt.. its easier to said than done "

[Nocults]

Jewish voters will follow the shekels.

This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past
aid programs, data on annual assistance, and an analysis of current issues. For general
information on Israel, see CRS Report RL33476, Israel: Background and Relations with the
United States, by Carol Migdalovitz. For information on overall U.S. assistance to the Middle
East, see CRS Report RL32260, U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical
Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2011 Request, by Jeremy M. Sharp.
Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. From
1976-2004, Israel was the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, having since been
supplanted by Iraq. Since 1985, the United States has provided nearly $3 billion in grants
annually to Israel.
Almost all U.S. bilateral aid to Israel is in the form of military assistance. In the past, Israel also
had received significant economic assistance. Strong congressional support for Israel has resulted
in Israel's receiving benefits not available to other countries. For example, Israel can use some
U.S. military assistance both for research and development in the United States and for military
purchases from Israeli manufacturers. In addition, all U.S. foreign assistance earmarked for Israel
is delivered in the first 30 days of the fiscal year. Most other recipients normally receive aid in
installments. Congress also appropriates funds for joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs.

[TobyPogi]

First of all, Willard is not a U.S. government official, the reason why Willard visiting Israel is to win the Jewish community votes back in the states, and To promise on day one he will help Israel to attack Iran if he wins the election. I don't think Jewish voters will buy his B.S. "Mitt.. its easier to said than done "

[wfw3536]

It is so nice that Romney appreaciates Israel, our only friends in the middle east. The way the President and Biden disrespected the leaders of Israel a number of times the last 3 years is a shame.

[retmw2]

Our friends LOL. Cut off our foreign and military aid to them and see how friendly they are to us.

[RollotheNorman]

The way Netanyahu openly disrespected the POTUS on his last visit to the US is the real shame. Ol' Ben ought have been ridden out of the US on a rail and invited not to return until he could quit disrespecting us all. Still I guess Willard must court the neocon vote.

[33maxwell]

Good..

Maybe he can talk with them about medical cannabis.. he was so arrogant/ignorant about it last month.

See, the Israeli's are on the forefront of cannabis research and are insisting cannabis be a FIRST line of defense before strong and deadly narcotics (their government even grows it for the patients).

They also, like Europe, have the prescribed "Sativex' that is being approved in the US as we speak FOR MS (Mitts wife has MS), but at 18 dollars a one time spray, and you have to spray several times a day, well.. cheaper to make your own.

Anyway Mitt, instead of getting snarky next time a reporter asks you a question a thinking man should at least be able to answer honestly, instead of saying 'Don't we have something important to talk about', maybe you might want to consider it aint all about you.

Please, for God's sake Mitt, talk to the Israeli's.. you need schooling bad on this subject. 1960's are over.

[hypnotoad72]

They can keep him on the pier, where he will flip-flop on the dock along with the other fish.

[omnibus66]

Mormons are required to convert others to their cult whenever possible. Wonder how that's going to work out with Netanyahu.

[55minus5]

Actually, it's true, omnibus. I wrote to some Mormon intrnational organizations about this and that, and their response was that they have many more cult members abroad than in the U.S. I don't understand the reasons, but that's what it is, I guess. To me, it's a puzzle. I don't give a shirt for their fantastic crop and would never join that ridiculous stuff.

[55minus5]

shut up, stupid shark, you R a nuisance.

[lesserof2evil]

somebody is counting his chicken before it hatches.

[tvwatcher5345]

i hope romney reminds israel that the hardworking US taxpayer is tried of subsidising israel and its communist kibbutzim (that the pinko michele bachmann lived on), and its socialized medicine, also that the miserable rat (and foreigner since he has renounced his US citizenship) jonathan pollard is in jail and will remain there the rest of his miserable life

[55minus5]

Can it be clearer? Interesting, though.