Romney won’t commit on Jerusalem, Pollard

Mitt Romney would not commit to moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem or to pardoning Jonathan Pollard.

Romney, a front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination who has garnered the greatest support among donors, met privately on Dec. 19 the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Washington Jewish Week reported.

On Jerusalem he said he would “consult with the government of Israel” before he makes a final decision.

“It’s easy for me to promise, but it’s something I would consult with the government [of Israel] on,” the Washington Jewish Week quoted him as saying, relying on a source present at the meeting.

Romney’s chief rival, Newt Gingrich, has said he would move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on his first day in office.

Romney has said that some of Gingrich’s pronouncements on the Middle East amount to bomb throwing and should not be made without first consulting the Israeli government.

Romney also would not make promises on Pollard, the Israeli spy jailed for life, according to this account of his remarks. He said he was “open to examining” the issue.