CBNNews.com - Following a guest appearance at a synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani told The Jerusalem Post that Israel must make its own decisions vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip.

"Israel has to do what it believes is necessary for its safety and security," Giuliani said. "Those are decisions where I think you give a great deal of discretion to the Israeli government," he said.

Giuliani disagreed with the Bush administration's push to establish a Palestinian state before the end of its term in office. "I don't think you can force it," he said.

Instead of imposing artificial time lines, the U.S. should help formulate strategic goals, said New York's former mayor.

First, Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state, put an end to terrorist elements within its population, and work on its own government infrastructure.

Giuliani also said last month's National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report stating that Iran ceased its nuclear armament program in 2003 would not alter U.S. policy on keeping Iran from going nuclear.

Rather than ease up pressure, Giuliani believes sanctions against Iran should be increased, while keeping the military option open.

Source: The Jerusalem Post