Could we get back to Mr. Romney for a minute?

There are about 250,000-300,000 Americans living in Israel who have dual citizenship and are able to vote in the 2012 election (I’m one of them). We tend to vote. That’s no doubt part of why Mr. Romney is here, just as Mr. Obama came before the last election in 2008. As for barring reporters from his meeting with donors, I don’t think it’s a big deal. He wants to share his future plans for the Middle East freely and take questions on what are existential issues for Israelis without being inhibited by or misquoted by the press. So what? The leadership in that room will pass on to their communities what Mr. Romney had to say. He will have dozens of other public meetings. Snarky comments here about “right wingers” and “Jewish money” belittle the stark, reality that surrounds and threatens America’s most faithful ally in this crucial and dangerous neighborhood of the world. An American President’s outlook (or that of an aspirant to that office) is listened to very carefully here by everyone, and does effect the choice of American-Israeli voters here. My fellow Lizards, I’m not a Romney fan nor am I an Obama fan (I voted for Mr. McCain in 2008), but I know I have a huge decision to make, one that deeply effects my beloved birthplace of America and the land of my destiny, Israel. Let’s not turn it all into a joke. And it’s Tisha BeAv, so I am extra-sensitive about the destructive power of mockery and scorn. Forgive me if I myself have gone too for.