Rick Perry plans visit to Israel

2016, here we come...

In a signal that many in the political world will see as further proof of serious presidential aspirations for 2016, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he will visit Israel in October.

“We will be going to Israel to bring together Arabs, Christian and Jews in an educational forum,” Mr. Perry told The Washington Times on Thursday.

Asked what would induce him to announce a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, the Texas governor, who has decided not to seek an unprecedented fourth term, said he would have “plenty of time to make that decision.”

In an exclusive interview with The Times, he took a surprising departure from President George W. Bush and President Obama on foreign policy.

Noting that America’s founders, from George Washington to Tom Paine, warned against military intervention abroad unless the American nation is directly attacked, Mr. Perry said, “How we intervene is crucial.”

“Investing our treasure in educational operations will go more toward creating peace than any military foray,” Mr. Perry said.