(AP, ABC7) - Republican presidential hopefuls are taking turns bashing President Barack Obama's policy toward Israel in appearances before a Jewish GOP group.

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney says Obama has immeasurably set back the cause of peace in the Middle East by chastising Israel and being weak in the face of a threat that Iran will develop a nuclear weapon.

Another challenger, Jon Huntsman, suggested that recent comments by the U.S. ambassador to Belgium that have sparked criticism were cleared by higher-ups in the State Department or perhaps the White House.

“I will not twist myself into a pretzel,” Huntsman says. “I will not pander to get elected.”

Speaking of the lack of competitiveness against foreign nations in some fields and a lower ranking internationally for education and innovation, Huntsman added “If that doesn’t grab you by the lapels and shake you to the core, I don’t know what will.”

After saying this nation is in a “funk” he also stressed in order to restore confidence in Capitol Hill we should institute term limits for Congress.

Read more on Scott Thuman's political must-read.

Ambassador Howard Gutman has drawn criticism for suggesting there is a difference between traditional anti-Semitism and a sentiment that results from continuing tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories and other Arab countries.

Both men spoke to the Republican Jewish Coalition.