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2012 U.S. Presidential Campaign: Michele Bachmann

Learn More about Republican Challenger Michele Bachmann
AICE does not rate or endorse any candidate for political office. This page is for informational purposes only.

Connection to Israel

"It [working on a kibbutz in the 1970s] was hard work -- sunburn, blisters, sore joints -- but it was a wonderful experience...I felt closer not only to Jesus but also all the great figures of the Tanach and the Gospel. And I was able to do my small part to help Israel built itself up."
- Core of Conviction, Bachmann's memoir, November 21, 2011

Bachmann traveled to Israel once in 1974 (when she worked on Kibbutz Be’eri in the Negev) and twice more as a member of Congress. "I am honored to be in a position where I can help Israel. I have a tremendous love for Israel, and great admiration for the Israeli people. I am a Christian, but I consider my heritage Jewish, because it is the foundation, the roots of my faith as a Christian."
- TC Jew Folk, March 24, 2010.

US-Israel Relationship

"My commitment is unequivocal and unchanging. We stand with Israel. Today more than ever Israel requires the necessary aid that the U.S. gives to our ally, the only democracy in the Middle East."
-Republican Jewish Coalition's 2012 Presidential Candidates' Forum, December 7, 2011

"It’s always been clear to me: The Jewish State of Israel has the right to exist, the right to self-defense, and the clear need to build up its defenses,” Bachmann wrote. “And if they do so, they will be helping themselves and ourselves to perfect the technology to confront new potential threats from countries such as Iran.”
- Core of Conviction, Bachmann's memoir, November 21, 2011

In response to Senator Ron Paul's suggested policy of cutting all defense aid to Israel, “We should not be cutting foreign aid to Israel,” Bachmann said. “Israel is our greatest ally. The biggest problem with this administration and foreign policy is that Obama is the first president since Israel declared her sovereignty who put daylight between the United States and Israel. That’s heavily contributed to the current hostilities that we see in the Middle East region.”
- Republican Presidential Debate in Nevada, October 18, 2011

Iranian Threat

"This is our moment of clarity to stand with Israel. Our options are diminishing by the day. The President will stand with Occupy Wall Street - but he won't stand with Israel. We have to accelerate covert operations and cyber operations in Iran. We must order the CIA director to do every effort necessary to stop the Iranian bomb. The Pentagon must prepare a war plan. President Obama has seriously diminished the security of Israel."
-Republican Jewish Coalition's 2012 Presidential Candidates' Forum, December 7, 2011

“And if they [Israel] do[es] so [build up its existential right to self-defense], they will be helping themselves and ourselves [the U.S.] to perfect the technology to confront new potential threats from countries such as Iran.”
- Core of Conviction, Bachmann's memoir, accessed December 7, 2011

"Iran has announced they plan to strike Israel. They've stated, as recently as August just before President Ahmadinejad came to the U.N. General Assembly. He said that he wanted to eradicate Israel from the face of the earth.

He has said that if he has a nuclear weapon he will use it to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. He will use it against the United States of America.

This isn't just an idle threat. This is a reality. And that's why President Obama has failed the American people because for two and a half years he gave the Iran the luxury of time.

He met with them with no preconditions. It's the doctrine of appeasement. He has changed the course of history because at the time when we needed a leader most, we didn't have one.

That's what I'll do differently as President of the United States. I'll lead."
-Republican Presidential Debate in Washington, D.C., November 22, 2011

Congresswoman Bachmann maintains that diplomacy is one option but does not rule out other alternatives such as a nuclear strike against Iran.
- Minnesota Public Radio, May 3, 2006.

Regarding President Obama's "Arab Spring" Speech

“We have a President who tells our true friend, Israel, that it must surrender its right to defensible borders to appease forces that have never recognized that nation’s right to exist. We have a President who has taken his eye off the ball when it comes to the true threat in the Middle East: a potentially nuclear-armed Iran.”
- Michele Bachmann for President, 2011.