TAMPA, Fla. (JTA) — The Republican National Convention showed a video highlighting Mitt Romney’s commitment to Israel.
The one-and-a-half-minute video featured footage of Romney’s July visit to Israel and several excerpts from the candidate’s speech in Jerusalem.
"Mitt Romney believes America shares a deep and cherished relationship with Israel, and like the United States, Israel respects the rights of people of all religions and will preserve the holy places of Christians, Jews and Muslims," the video’s narrator said.
The video was shown on Wednesday evening immediately after a convention speech by U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) that was mostly devoted to foreign policy.
The video concluded with footage of Romney saying in Jerusalem: "It’s a deeply moving experience to be in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel."
At the time, the White House’s deputy press secretary, Josh Earnest, said that Romney’s statement on Jerusalem was "a different position than this administration holds," which Earnest said was the same as those of Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
The Republican Jewish Coalition and Emergency Committee for Israel have created videos attacking the Obama administration’s position on Jerusalem. The convention video made no mention of President Obama.
No administration has recognized Israeli sovereignty in any part of Jerusalem, although Congress passed a law in 1995 recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Romney and his surrogates have said repeatedly that Romney would consider moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem only in consultation with Israel’s government.
