Presidential hopeful Chris Christie says Obama's approach to Israel 'shameful'

Christie joins a slew of other potential Republican presidential hopefuls in voicing their support for the Jewish State.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Presidential hopeful Chris Christie says Obama's approach to Israel 'shameful'
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is considering a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination,  criticized US President Barack Obama's dealings with Israel while speaking at an event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire Monday stating the current administration's approach towards the Jewish State has been shameful. 
"Our commitment to Israel must be absolute. Israel is a beacon of freedom in a sea of autocracy and our friendship should be unshakeable. Over the last few years this administration has taken our Israeli partners for granted and it is shameful how the president has treated them."
Christie added that "Israel and its people must be supported by the United States and the American president - its existence and its security is non-negotiable, and the Iranians and others who think otherwise must be reminded by America of that simple fact."
"Over the last few years this administration has taken our Israeli partners for granted and it is shameful how the president has treated them," Christie told supporters.
Other Republican hopefuls who have either declared or are expected to declare their candidacy to become the next Republican presidential nominee have expressed similar support for Israel, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Rubio, the junior senator from Florida, insists on forcing Iran to recognize Israel as part of any nuclear deal with the Obama administration, the online news magazine Politico reported in late April.
Likely presidential contender Scott Walker arrived in Israel less than two weeks ago for a five-day visit which he described as an “educational trip.”
Before arriving in Israel to hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Issac Herzog, Walker  told a crowd of republican activists at an event in South Carolina that  “we need a president who will affirm that Israel is our ally, and start acting like it.”
Walker follows a number of presidential hopefuls who have visited Jerusalem in recent months, including retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who have both already declared their candidacies.
Other Republican candidates or possible candidates who have visited Israel in the past year include Texas Senator Ted Cruz and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.
Herb Keinon and Reuters contributed to this report