Romney Wants To Cut Aid, Arms To Israel

Since military assistance, advanced weapons system, top level technology, intelligence sharing and security cooperation have grown markedly during the Obama administration, Israel can look for a significant cutbacks in all of those categories in a Romney administration in light of the Republican contender’s vow to do just the opposite of the incumbent when it comes to dealing with the Jewish state.

"I think, by and large, you can just look at the things the president has done and do the opposite," Mitt Romney told a group of religious conservatives when asked about Israel. 

He said that in the same week that Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, to Israeli President Shimon Peres, who told Obama, "You have pledged a lasting friendship for Israel. So you pledged, so you act, so you are acting."

Sorry, Shimon, if Mitt’s elected you’ll have to return the medal.

The speech marked the first time Romney had discussed Israel since locking up the Republican nomination – more to the point, the first time since casino mogul Sheldon Adelson plunked down his first $10 million installment for the pro-Romney super-PAC.

President Obama has agreed to provide Israel with advanced weapons systems like the F-35 joint strike fighter, bunker-buster bombs and additional aerial refueling capabilities, all of which were denied or delayed by the George W. Bush administration.  Apparently Romney intends to reverse those decisions, too.

And don’t overlook Obama’s successful efforts to block the PLO’s bid for UN recognition; I guess that would also change.  And a Romney administration presumably would also remove the crippling sanctions on Iran imposed by Obama.