Presidential Candidates Head to Israel — But Who Foots the Bill?
Source: The Forward
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson visited Israel on a tour organized by a for-profit company that has since ceased most of its activity.
Ted Cruz took the trip on the dime of a hawkish advocacy group with neoconservative ties. Rand Paul had an anti-gay Christian group pay his way to Jerusalem.
And Carly Fiorina, a former high-tech executive whose net worth reaches nearly $60 million, allowed Republican Jewish donors to fund her visit.
No matter how they make the trip, presidential candidates have long understood that a pilgrimage to Israel is a must on their way to the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primaries and, hopefully, their party’s nominating conventions. And most have no difficulty finding sponsors of their liking to pick up the tab and show them the Jewish state through their own prism.
For Republicans, a strong show of support and a set of photos with Israeli leaders and overlooking the country’s borders can also help open the door to major Jewish donors. Among their targets are Sheldon Adelson, who has yet to announce his choice in the crowded GOP primary race, and Paul Singer, who recently threw his support behind the Florida senator Marco Rubio.
Read more: http://forward.com/news/324199/birthright-for-politicians/
