Palin believes protection of Israel is a biblical imperative'

Washington, Sept.4 : Alaska Governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin may never have been to Israel, but according to sources close to her, she is a staunch supporter of the Israeli cause, making her a favorite with the staunchly pro-Israel neo-conservative elements in the Republican Party.

According to the Washington Times, most Republicans and conservatives outside Alaska know little about Palin's foreign policy views, but Palin's counselor Tucker Eskew, leaves no one in doubt about where she stands.

"She would describe herself as a strong supporter of Israel's, with an understanding of Israel's fear of an Iran in possession of nuclear weapons," Eskew told The Washington Times.

Palin's brand of evangelical Protestantism is especially well disposed to the preservation of Israel for biblical reasons, said Merrill Matthews, an evangelical Christian and a Dallas-based health-policy specialist.

Palin was baptized as a teenager at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church. She frequently attends the Juneau Christian Center, which is also part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. Her home church is the Church of the Rock, an independent congregation.

Meanwhile, she is getting rave reviews from Jewish Republicans.

"The fact that she keeps the flag of Israel in her office means she has Israel in her heart. I am confident the Jewish community will be impressed with the strong pro-Israel views of Governor Palin as she begins to travel the country and ... discuss the critical issues in this campaign," one Jewish republican was quoted, as saying.

ANI