Groups Float Dueling Presidential Ads on Israel

By JTA July 26, 2012

Liberal and conservative pro-Israel advocacy groups released ads targeting the presidential candidates.

An ad released Thursday by the Emergency Committee for Israel that will appear in 23 Jewish newspapers includes quotes from Israeli, Palestinian and Jewish American officials saying that President Obama has been emotionally aloof from Israel.

A web video released the same day by J Street asks, “Where does Mitt Romney stand?” demanding that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee commit to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A number of the figures quoted in the ECI ad, notably, Martin Indyk, the Clinton-era ambassador to Israel, have also praised Obama for what they say is unprecedented defense support of Israel.

Romney during the presidential campaign has not endorsed the two-state solution, but has said the Palestinians must show commitment to a two-state solution as a predicate for peace talks advancing. He also has noted that Israel’s government seeks a two-state solution.

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