Sen. Lautenberg: “Downright Dangerous” for Romney and Republicans to Politicize Israel

Max Samis — August 15, 2012 – 2:55 pm | Israel | Mitt Romney | Republicans Comments (0) Add a comment

Over the course of this election cycle, many in the Republican Party - including their presumptive presidential nominee, Mitt Romney - have unfortunately chosen to politicize the United States’ long-standing bipartisan relationship with Israel, often over the objections of Israeli leaders. Now, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has penned an op-ed in The Jerusalem Post calling on Romney to stop his “downright dangerous” rhetoric, which he says sends false signals to the rest of the world that could threaten Israel’s security.

Lautenberg wrote:

The rhetoric coming from Republicans and their presidential candidate, Governor Mitt Romney, concerning the US relationship with Israel is downright dangerous.

Republicans want to use our relationship with Israel as part of a political game - which is terrible for US national security and bad for Israel’s safety.

Since 1948, the United States and Israel have built a strong alliance that remains firm and unshakeable. To attempt to clumsily interfere with that is simply shameful. Republicans are distorting the state of US-Israel relations for partisan gain and sending the wrong signal to the rest of the world - a signal that could lead to threats against Israel’s security.

When you listen to Republicans - especially their presidential candidate Mitt Romney - discuss Israel, reality is often replaced with distortion and fantasy. Mitt Romney claims that the Obama administration has ignored Israel’s security needs and left it vulnerable - but that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

President Obama shares my convictions about the enduring bond between Israel and the US. And when you look at the record, it is clear that there is no greater friend to Israel than this president.

Don’t trust my word? Look at the statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, who said that President Obama has done more for Israel’s security than any previous US administration. Ehud Barak is one of Israel’s most decorated military leaders. He understands Israel’s security.

What about the word of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu? He called the Obama administration’s security policy for Israel ‘unprecedented.’

On the other hand, if you listen to Republicans here in the US, it sounds like President Obama has all but abandoned Israel’s security.

They are encouraging Israel’s enemies with their misrepresentations. To them, I say: Shame on you.

Click here to read the full op-ed.

Click here to watch Lautenberg delivering a similar message on the Senate floor.

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