Source: Walla News (Translated from Hebrew)
Newt Gingrich may visit Israel

Is Newt Gingrich on his way to Israel? Sources close to the controversial Republican candidate informed and approved to MK Danny Dannon (Likud) that Gingrich is positively considering arriving at Israel in the coming month, despite the fervent campaign for the top of the Republican party.
The final approval will be received after the voting results in South Carolina at the end of next week, however the visit is apparently intended to be very short, and include visits to the Israeli Knesset, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and the Yad Vashem museum.

Gingrich, a conservative candidate suffering from a long history of controversial comments, is expected to release several declerations during his visit to Israel. Last month, he caused a commotion when claiming during an interview that “We invented the Palestinian people, which is actually an Arab populace. Historically, they’re a part of the Arab community, they had the possibility to go to other places.” Gingrich, known for his staunch support for Israel, also told during a CNN interview that he supports the release of Jonathan Polard. “I am willing to say that I am inclined towards pardoning Polard, and would like to examine the issue”, the politician said. “He’s been sitting in prison a very long time, but we display a harsh attitude towards spies in the United States.”

MK Danny Dannon has been in contact with Gringrich’s staff over the past two weeks towards coordinating the visit, and according to him, they have approved before him that Gingrich is positively considering his arrival during the next month. In the past, Dannon was reprimanded by Prime Minister Netanyahu over his involvement in US politics; Last September, Dannon stood at the side of candidate Rick Perry, in a press conference in New York, while Perry assaulted the Obama administration and called for the closure of the PLO offices in the United States, should the Palestinians declare independence. Perry is currently low in the campaign, and was fifth in the latest primary in New Hampshire.

Gingrich, on the other hand, soared in polls prior to the primaries, though it seems that Mitt Romney’s campaign is successfully overcoming the threat posed by him. Gingrich himself made fourth place in New Hampshire, but declared that he’s planning revenge and intends to turn the tables next week in South Carolina.

“Gingrich’s Visit will testify towards his commitment to Israel”
Gingrich, who was involved in corruption investigations and personal scandals in the past, is connected to PM Netanyahu; According to reports, Gingrich is very vocal and proud of his ties with Netanyahu, which date back to the 90s. One of Netanyahu’s close allies, the Jewish-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, is one of Gingrich’s most prominent supporters, and just last week was reported as having donated $5 million towards the conservative candidate’s campaign. However, around Netanyahu, there is considerable care not to get involved in internal US politics at this time, and after Dannon’s shared press conference with Perry, the former was reprimanded.

“I am grateful for every US leader that comes to visit Israel”, Dannon said, “Israel is an isle of stability and sanity in the Middle East, and Newt’s visit emphasizes that”. According to Dannon, President Obama made a harsh mistake in not arriving to visit Israel throughout his term, and Gingrich’s visit in Israel will clarify his absolute commitment to the Jewish people and the state of Israel to the world.