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Last update - 16:59 19/08/2008
Huckabee backs Jewish land purchases in Arab areas of Jerusalem
By Cnaan Liphshiz, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel, Muslim Quarter 

Following up his objection to any division of Jerusalem in an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee on Tuesday praised moves to boost the Jewish presence in Arab areas of Jerusalem through property purchases.

His host for his two-day trip is The Jerusalem Reclamation Project, a New York foundation working to move Jews into the Muslim Quarter of the capital's Old City.

The foundation, Huckabee says, is "going about the process the right way. Not of forcibly taking territory but the old fashioned way of purchasing land and having families move in."
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The former governor says he does not see any problem with the income gap between Jewish home buyers and poorer Palestinian sellers, describing the difference as "an economical reality" rather than a political one.

"You may have a greater income by Jewish home buyers than East Jerusalem sellers, but it's not unique to Jerusalem," he elaborates. "Mixed neighborhoods are a blessing. It's nice to see how other people live."

Reaffirming his support for the formation of a Palestinian state outside the borders of the Land of Israel, Huckabee says: "Why does it need to be on top of the tiny piece of real-estate which was designated more than a hundred years ago to be a national homeland for the Jewish People?"

When Huckabee's conversation with a small group of reporters over breakfast at a Jerusalem hotel is interrupted by his phone's sharp melodic ringtone, he is quick to jest that he has had "the call."

"That's John McCain, calling to ask whether I'll be on his ticket," he teases. "You guys will have a heck of a story."

To be sure, McCain has not called the former Arkansas governor, who Tuesday concludes a two-day visit in Israel. Huckabee himself downplays rumors that he is a leading candidate for the Republican nominee's vice presidential slot.

"I do not view myself as a candidate for McCain's vice presidency," Huckabee later clarifies. "I mean, I'd be quite surprised if my cell phone went off at the table and I had to step out and tell him yes. I have no indication that I'm on the list."

Even if McCain never calls, Huckabee's hosts from the Jerusalem Reclamation Project would scarcely regret the efforts they put into organizing the visit.

"It was important to invite Huckabee especially since in America, the Democrat hopeful Barack Obama has moved the debate way to the Left," explained Dr. Joseph Frager, chairman of the foundation's board. "It moved it out of the realm that even the Kadima party would not understand."

Frager draws satisfaction from the support which Huckabee - who is an ordained minister with close ties to prominent Christian Evangelists - lends to settling Jews all over the Land of Israel in general and in East Jerusalem in particular.

The Jewish Democrat State Assemblyman Dov Hikind from New York, who is accompanying Huckabee on his visit, cited Huckabee's millions of American supporters in explaining his unreserved support for a member of the rival party in the 2008 presidential elections. "When he speaks people listen," Hikind said.

On Monday, Huckabee toured some Jewish-owned living complexes inside the Muslim Quarter, under the guard and watchful eye of an armed Border Police detachment.
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  1.   Correction 18:53  |  Yaakov Stern 19/08/08
  2.   Mixed neighborhoods 19:44  |  Janice 19/08/08
  3.   A man who believes in creationism; Earth is 5,000 years old! 20:27  |  HA HA 19/08/08
  4.   Janice already made my point 20:35  |  newageblues 19/08/08
  5.   Janice Arab villages will not allow Jews in 22:22  |  x-ray 19/08/08
  6.   He did not visit the west Bank ---clearly 23:16  |  Labhras 19/08/08
  7.   "Mixed neighborhoods are a blessing." 23:59  |  Axel 19/08/08
  8.   HA HA 00:39  |  mmm 20/08/08
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