2008 Presidential Candidates’ Views on the Middle East: Mike Huckabee

For Mike Huckabee’s bio, please click HERE.

Terrorism:

“AMERICA MUST be effective in the Middle East, and we must of course listen - and learn, and safeguard. But most of all, we need to be resolute in our strength, military and moral. Specifically, we must not pay any sort of tribute to terrorist states - including the honor of ‘listening’ in some formal setting, where every splenetic utterance will be aired worldwide.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“Together we must prevent nuclear proliferation and defeat Islamofascism. Together, we must be the people who confront and overcome evil.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“I don’t want to hear the ‘concerns’ of terrorist states - but I do want them to hear me.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

Iranian Threat:

“So I share Israel’s concern about an aggressive unchecked Iran. And I share Israel’s determination that Iran will not become a nuclear power. As president, I will not take the military option off the table. I will work to strengthen sanctions against Iran both through the United Nations and the European Union.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“Iran and its partner Syria bring danger and death to Americans and Israelis on a daily basis through their support for terrorists - in Gaza, Lebanon, and of course, Iraq.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“We shouldn’t engage in impromptu diplomacy based on a misplaced sense of ‘empathy.’” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“I am proud to add my voice to the tens of thousands of people who have signed The Israel Project’s petition to the United Nations concerning Iran.  I condemn Iran’s irrational call for the destruction of Israel and its reckless defiance of the international community by its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons and other hostile actions.  I urge Iran to stop enriching uranium and accept monitoring by the IAEA, to recognize the right of Israel to exist, and to end its support of all terror groups, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad.  Iran currently poses an unacceptable threat to Israel, to the entire region, to the United States, and to all peace-loving peoples throughout the world.” (Statement to the Israel Project, July 19, 2007)

The United States-Israel Relationship:

“No one seeking the presidency in either party is more steadfastly committed to Israel’s security, survival as a Jewish state, and ability to defend herself than I am. As president, I will ensure that Israel always has the state-of-the-art weaponry and technology she needs. And in addition, I will dramatically increase American defense spending. Before there can be true peace, there must be the basic recognition of Israel’s right to exist and an end to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel lies and propoganda.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“I have had the pleasure of visiting Israel, our staunch ally, our great friend and the most exemplary democracy in the Middle East, a total of nine times.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“I want everyone in the Middle East to know that America is comitted to its strategic interests in the region, including a safe and secure Israel.” (Jerusalem Post, February 4, 2008)

“The issue of whether the president should be in the Middle East comes to something that I think we’ve got to recognize. We’ve got one true ally in the Middle East, and that’s Israel. It’s a tiny nation. I’ve been there nine times. I've literally traveled from Dan to Beersheba, and I understand something of that nation and the vulnerability of it. And for us to give the world the impression that we would stand by if it were under attack and simply say it’s not our problem would be recklessly irresponsible on our part. And if I were president, you can rest assured that we would not let an ally be annihilated by those enemies which surround it, who have openly stated it is their direct intention to destroy that nation. It would not happen under my presidency.” (JTA, January 13, 2008)