Cantor: Reinstatement of Jerusalem language 'a case study in political posturing'

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) blasted the Obama administration for "vacillating policies" on the role of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a statement Wednesday night, as Republicans looked to capitalize on a chaotic day at the Democratic convention.

"President Obama’s failure to take a coherent and decisive stand in recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel reflects his administration’s vacillating policies toward the Jewish state," Cantor said in a statement circulated by the Romney campaign. "Today’s floor fight and begrudging platform reversal at the Democratic National Convention should be seen for what it is — a case study in political posturing."

Democrats amended their party platform Wednesday afternoon to reinsert language supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with multiple reports saying the president personally intervened to have the language reinstated. But the floor vote was contentious, with Convention Chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa needing three tries at a voice-vote before declaring in favor of the changes.

Jerusalem's status is a major point of contention in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations; while Israel names it as its capital city, Palestinians have said it would function as the head of an eventual independent state. The sides have agreed to resolve the conflict in peace negotiations, and the Obama administration — as have administrations on both sides of the aisle before it — has said that the issue should be resolved in talks.

But Romney made a point of declaring Jerusalem the capital during his recent international tour, and Republicans have pressed Obama to make a more explicit statement on the issue.

In a statement earlier Wednesday, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul called on Obama to clarify his position on Jerusalem.

“Mitt Romney has consistently stated his belief that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel," Saul said. 

"Although today’s voice-vote at the Democratic National Convention was unclear, the Democratic Party has acknowledged Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. President Obama has repeatedly refused to say the same himself. Now is the time for President Obama to state in unequivocal terms whether or not he believes Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.”

During a press briefing earlier aboard Air Force One, press secretary Jay Carney brushed off suggestions the president's stance had changed or further clarification was necessary.

"Let’s be clear. As president of the United States, the position on Jerusalem held by this administration, this president, is exactly the same position that presidents and administrations have held since 1967 — presidents of both parties, administrations of both parties," Carney said. "You certainly didn't hear leaders of the Republican Party during the George W. Bush administration saying that his position of his government that Jerusalem needed to be resolved in final status negotiations between the two parties — Israelis and Palestinians — was 'shameful.' I didn't hear Mitt Romney say that. I certainly didn't hear Paul Ryan say that."

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