Partly blaming unrest in the Middle East on President Barack Obama, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Saturday that Obama has not spoken firmly and forcefully on Israel’s behalf and that the country no longer trusts it has the full support of the United States because of him.
The Republican governor’s remarks came as Israel targeted civilian institutions with suspected ties to the terror organization Hamas and declared it would step up its bombardment of northern Gaza. Israel says it is acting in self-defense against Hamas rockets.
Christie cited the violence sparked by the deaths of three Israeli teenagers and said organizations like Hamas that are engaged in such conflict with Israel “need to be dealt with, and dealt with firmly.” Obama has not done so during his presidency, Christie told reporters while attending a meeting of the National Governors Association.
“Israel is not sure that they have America’s full support like they used to,” Christie said. “And that’s a real failure of this presidency, in my view. And I think the unrest you see in the Middle East is caused in some measure — not completely, but in some measure — by the fact that this president has not acted in a decisive, consistent way.”
Christie, who leads the Republican Governors Association, is openly considering a 2016 presidential bid. While he has limited foreign policy experience, the two-term governor has been speaking more aggressively on international affairs in recent months.
Christie said Obama should be focused on trying to bring stability to the region “by having America be a forceful voice in favor of a democracy like Israel, and be condemning in the strongest terms and with actions the things that are being done by Hamas against Israel.”
When asked, Christie declined to say whether Obama should take military action if necessary.
When Obama spoke earlier this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said the president condemned the rocket attacks and said Israel has the right to defend itself. He also urged both sides not to escalate the crisis and offered to have the U.S. negotiate a cease-fire, the White House said in a statement.
(AP)
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11 Responses
The only real way that Hamas can be “dealt with” by the US is to invade Gaza. Christie is clearly identifying with the wing of the Republican Party for which the only answer to any foreign policy problem is a military invasion. Bush showed us all how stupid that is.
“both sides should try not to escalate…broker peace…” Obamanation’s moral equivalency between crazed terrorists going berserk trying to take down a democratic civilization and lawfully elected soldiers trying to protect thier homeland is sickening. He should be told that first he should try to make peace with al qaeda and the network that helped the boston bombing marathon, then he should try to de escalate the fight between the US army, CIA and al qaeda Jihadists.
& When his term is over he should consider working in the UN as he has similar values to most of the people in the UN. After all it’s a perfect match a discredited man with a discredited organization what a wonderful shidduch.
GO CHRISTIE! CHRISTIE FOR PRESIDENT!!!but im going to miss obamas charming smile
If those Hamas missles had to cross the George Washington Bridge, Governor Christie could make Israel safer. If he cannot do that, shutting up would be helpful.
Charlie
Radical Islam speaks one language. The language of extreme violence. They are inhuman and could care less about “peace talks” or foolishness like the value of human life. They are barbarians who kill babies for fun.
Governor Christie is by far the most reliable governor. He says exactly where he stands. Just because he might have been involved in a (bridge) scandal (which is very unclear, since there is no direct evidence regarding him) is no reason that he should be quiet. CHRISTIE FOR PRESIDENT!! The only person who might be able to put this country in a normal direction. N.J. moved up in the ranks as far as states go, regarding taxes, crime, education for special kids, sandy relief!! All under CHRISTIE!
“Radical Islam speaks one language. The language of extreme violence. They are inhuman and could care less about “peace talks” or foolishness like the value of human life. They are barbarians who kill babies for fun.”
I agree. That is why I put a petition on the White House Petition site calling for the Obama administration to support Israel unconditionally in the war with Hamas. Please sign it.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/support-israel-unconditionally-whatever-it-needs-do-stop-hamas-terrorism-it-has-right-defend-itself/YXmChhNj
“N.J. moved up in the ranks as far as states go, regarding taxes, crime”
Uh, no.
Pre-Christie, 2009: 319 homicides in NJ.
Post-Christie, 2010: 371
2011: 380
2012: 388
2013: 411
That is a 29% increase in a period where homicide rates are falling in most of the US. Just think what he’ll do for crime in the entire country!
He lowered property tax or kept it stable for longer than previous governor’s. (Granted, I was wrong about crime).
When a politician (especially one who runs for office) takls pro Israel, it does not necessarily reflect his personal views, and I do not necessarily have to believe him that he means what he says. But when a politician expresses his opinion against Israel, we know for sure that he’s dead serious about what he says and it clearly reflects his personal opinions. For we know halacha he biyedua Eisuv sonne L’yakov.
Erlicheyid, thats not true. The din is only by bnei Eisav, not Yishmael, Edom, or any other nation. Not every stam goy in the world hates you. Only by Eisav.