JERUSALEM - Potential 2012 U.S. presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says preventing Jewish settlers from building in east Jerusalem is as outrageous as discriminating against Americans because of their race, language or religion. Huckabee spoke at the dedication of a new Jewish neighbourhood in east Jerusalem, which is claimed by the Palestinians.
Huckabee dismissed the notion that Jewish settlements are obstacles to peace. Instead, he backed the settlers' view that they have the right to build anywhere in the biblical Land of Israel, including the West Bank.
The former Arkansas governor is expected to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
President Barack Obama and most the international community consider the settlements illegal.
