
(CNN) - Asked what a Gingrich administration would do should Israel decided to strike Iran, the Republican presidential candidate said Friday he would offer support for the Jewish state.
"I would say, if you believe the survival of your country is at stake, what is it we could do to help you?" Gingrich said in an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
The potential event of an Israeli attack became all the more real on Thursday, when Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said there is a growing likelihood Israel could strike Iran sometime this spring in an effort to destroy a suspected nuclear weapons program, according to a senior administration official.
Gingrich criticized the Obama administration for "failing" to stop Iran from building a nuclear program.
If he were president, the former House speaker said he would urge Israel to stick with conventional weapons, rather than launch nuclear warfare. But he argued no American had "the moral right" to lecture an Israeli prime minister about "what risk he or she should take with the survival of their country."
"People should not kid themselves. The Israelis are not going to take the risk of a second holocaust. And that is exactly what (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad with a nuclear weapon represents," Gingrich said.
Also see:
Romney on 'poor' comment: I misspoke
McDonnell open to spot as GOP running mate
Romney hits U.S. Taliban proposal
A Trump endorsement: Where imagination and reality meets
Gingrich to challenge Florida delegates
Watch The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer weekdays at 4pm to 6pm ET and Saturdays at 6pm ET. For the latest from The Situation Room click here.


good, at least israel has the balls to stand up to a bunch of manic terrorists
gosh. not responses so far. guess that shows just how seriously readers take the rabid rantings of the Newtslime
Guess Adelson is getting his money's worth after all.
Wants Iran bombed by Israel, he should move to Israel!
HEY Gingrich "War is good for business invest your OWN children's!
Of course he would. He wants to win an election and he knows that it is political suicide to undermine Israel. Just as pathetic as the rest of them.
he is appalling! and disgusting!
I wish Newt would stop acting like he is the President. He is not and he should not inject an uneducated opinion into an otherwise very delicate situation. We need the adults doing the work, not Newt.
All the little neocons snug in their beds, while visions of Armageddon dance in their heads.
All Republican will support anything that may lead to anointing war some where. Just who got American In the Last two. And beside that Newt Gingrich Is a IDIOT, a cheat and a crook.
I thought we were turning into Greece? Where is this huge surplus of money going to come from to in order to fight Iran? Surely not the top 1%.
I for one would not support a pre-emptive strike from Israel, nor would I support such a decision from any U.S. leader. That basically takes us into WW3. What do you think it wiuld mean for the US, NATO and anyother country???? That would escalate so fast beyond two/three countries. Again another trigger happy republican. Just like the last one
This campaign posturing is so dangerous for the entire world. I feel like, globally, we're all holding our breathe until this election cycle is over. Nothing matters but the economy anyway. If the economy's up, the President wins. If it's down, one of the opposition's hate-filled candidates wins. I wonder how long I can hold my breathe...
Fortunately , What Newt thinks is irrelevant . Romney wiped the floor with Newts Ego .
Beam me up Scotty ! Moon Base Alfa Newt
Don't worry about Israel or Iran or anything besides your next meal, Fatboy. Get a clue, there will never be a Gingrich Administration.
Although I am a staunch supporter of Israel, I certainly don't want a delusional narcissist like Gingrich making any decisions about our country. As a matter of fact, the current republican field of candidates reminds me a lot of the Marx Brothers, with Gingrich being the outrageous mouth that Groucho was.
So much for any covert action that would prevent the U.S. from being dragged into another war to make Repub billionaires and millionaires even more money.
Now we know why the jewish guy from vegas gave money to Gingrich. That is also why Gingrich will never get to be a candidate or the nomination. He is one of the draft dodging GOP politicians.I know his answer will be his father served and he thinks that if his father served it counts for him . This father served 22 yrs and my kids do not think that makes that time count as their time in the military. Newt is the typical GOP'Er that likes to send other peoples kids to war while he stays home and rolls in the money.
Yeah...elect another republican, and we will be in 5 different wars if they could help it...these dangerous yahoos do not have any business in the whithouse.
The USA must rid itself of this parasite called Israel before it entangles us in a nuclear war.
Another reason not to vote for these GOP chickenhawks, It' s a proven fact the tough's talking person in the conversation is in most cases the biggest punk GOP.
Isreal has said President Obama has been are great ally in recent history to Isreal. The GOP war mongers would have started another war. Support Obama. The GOP will destroy our country. America, let us start the draft so all Americans will know what is like to send your son and daughter to war. Hey, Mitt Romney, please send your boys to defend America!!! Bunch of hypocrits....wake up America....President Obama in 2012!!!
of course he would!
Wolf Blitzer Obama's man on the street. Believing in him is like believing Rozanne Barr has a chance at President. Wake up Wolf. Obama is gone come 2013.
I alos would support an Israeli attack on Iran. It's a cinch the Muslim lover Obama will not act. The worsty President God ever gave to the human race, That is if he is human..