Jeb Carries W’s Umbrella To Fire Up Jewish Backers
Jeb Bush, once considered the Republican presidential frontrunner, on Thursday struck a chord with many of his supporters and backers assembled at the Republican Jewish Coalition Presidential Forum in DC.
Wearing a Jeb-in-Hebrew pin on the right side of his suit, Jeb showed compassion, a high level of energy and knowledge on this issues as he presented a foreign policy similar to his brother George W. Bush, admired by many Republican Jews for his pro-Israel stance as president.
Asked if he would reinstate the Bush letter to Sharon, a pledge made earlier by his rival Marco Rubio, Jeb said, “Absolutely.”
“What we need to do is create the conditions where there’s a willingness to talk,” he stressed. “The Palestinian Authority is not a legitimate regime. They can’t speak for the Palestinian people. There has to be a completely different environment for serious negotiations to take place.”
“We must not pressure Israel on settlements until Palestinians recognize Israel’s existence as a Jewish State and it borders,” Bush said.
Bush also sought to calm Jewish Republicans weary of his seeking advice on foreign affairs from former Secretary of State James Baker. According to reports, Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson became furious with Jeb after Baker addressed the J Street conference earlier this year. “The person I rely on most when it comes to U.S.-Israeli policy is my brother,” Jeb said to rapturous applause. “I got a damn good brother.”
The Republican presidential hopeful made several “Day one” pledges, such as move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, ensure Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge is maintained under a new MOU, and work with his newly appointed Attorney General to stop the BDS movement in the United States.
Bush’s remarks were met with loud applause and several standing ovations, as the room seems to be stacked with many of his early supporters.