Mitt Romney supports Israeli strike on Iran in tough talk speech supporting the Jewish state... after he cancels fundraising dinner scheduled for a holy day of fasting

Mitt Romney presented himself as Israel's best friend in the November 6 presidential election and said 'any and all measures' must be used to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon during a speech in Jerusalem on Sunday.

In a foreign policy speech, Romney voiced strong support for the alliance between the United States and Israel and seemed to suggest that President Barack Obama had let the relationship flounder.

He also declared that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel - a view popular in his host country, but controversial elsewhere in the world.

However, Romney's gaffe-prone world tour was not without error in Israel as it was revealed he was forced to cancel a high-price dinner fundraiser in the nation because it was scheduled for a Jewish day of fasting.

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Mitt Romney

Sacred visit: Mitt Romney prayed at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday and was greeted by worshipers

Crowd: Mitt Romney attracts supporters as he prepares to deliver a speech on foreign policy in Jerusalem

Crowd: Mitt Romney attracts supporters as he prepares to deliver a speech on foreign policy in Jerusalem

Donor: Wealthy casino magnate Sheldon Adelson with his wife Miriam after watching Mr Romney's speech

Donor: Wealthy casino magnate Sheldon Adelson with his wife Miriam after watching Mr Romney's speech

The cultural misstep followed a disastrous trip to Britain, where he insinuated that London was not ready for the Olympic games -- receiving cutting rebukes from Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

However, his speech on Sunday seemed well received by his Israeli audience.

A top aide said Romney would support an Israeli military strike if all options had been exhausted, but the candidate himself balked at repeating that position.

'We cannot stand silent as those who seek to undermine Israel voice their criticisms. And we certainly should not join in that criticism. Diplomatic distance in public between our nations emboldens Israel's adversaries,' said Romney, the walls of the Old City lining the hilltop behind him.

The former Massachusetts governor was in Jerusalem on the second leg of a trip to strengthen his foreign policy credentials in his race to unseat Obama.

'We should employ any and all measures to dissuade the Iranian regime from its nuclear course, and it is our fervent hope that diplomatic and economic measures will do so. In the final analysis, of course, no option should be excluded. We recognize Israel's right to defend itself, and that it is right for America to stand with you,' he said.

Though he adopted an aggressive tone, Romney did not go as far as his senior foreign policy advisor, Dan Senor, who said earlier: 'If Israel has to take action on its own, in order to stop Iran from developing that capability, the governor would respect that decision.'

Lesson: The latest gaffe from Mitt Romney's world tour came as he planned to host a dinner fundraiser on the same day as Tisha B'Av - a Jewish day of mourning and fast

Lesson: The latest gaffe from Mitt Romney's world tour came as he planned to host a dinner fundraiser on the same day as Tisha B'Av - a Jewish day of mourning and fast

The aide's comments put Romney at odds with Obama's efforts to press Israel to avoid any preemptive strike before tough Western economic sanctions against Iran run their course.

Romney, however, refused to repeat them when asked by CBS' 'Face the Nation.'

'Well I think because I'm on foreign soil I don't want to be creating new foreign policy for my country or in any way to distance myself in the foreign policy of our nation. But we respect the right of a nation to defend itself,' Romney said.

The failure of talks between Iran and six world powers to secure a breakthrough in curbing what the West fears is a drive to develop nuclear weapons has raised international concern that Israel may opt for a military strike.

The presidential hopeful was greeted warmly earlier by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an old friend of his, who has at times had a strained relationship with Obama.

Mitt Romney

Ally: Romney voiced support for an Israeli strike on Iran before his meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres

Romney also visted the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday -- one of the most sacred sites in Judaism.

The Republican presidential candidate originally had planned a $50,000-a-plate dinner in Israel for Sunday night -- even though today is also Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day to mourn the victim and the Holocaust and the destruction of first and second Temple of Jerusalem.

It is traditionally a day of fast when restaurants in Israel are closed by law.

The Huffington Post reports that Romney's campaign knew the significance of the date, but planned the fundraiser anyway, hoping a 'small meeting but a big fundraiser' wouldn't offend his Israeli supporters.

'Dietary laws will be observed. Refreshments will not be served until after the fast,' read the invitation to the event.

Tisha B'Av

Holy: Tisha B'Av was originally meant to mourn the destruction of the first and second Temple of Jerusalem, though it has also become a day to mourn the victims of the Holocaust

The campaign, however, didn't expect a backlash from Israelis, who were upset that the former Massachusetts governor planned to raise money during the solemn occasion.

On July 12, the event was canceled, 'campaign is aware of the sensitivity of that date.'

Romney was booed by Britons and jeered by top politicians after a trip to London last week that was widely seen as awkward and even insulting.

Days before the Olympics kicked off, the presumptive Republican nominee told NBC News: 'The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials -- that obviously is not something which is encouraging.'

He also referred to Labour Party Leader as 'Mr Leader' and said he had spoken with the head of MI-6 -- both awkward faux pas in Britain.

Last stop on Romney's world tour is Poland, a heavily Catholic nation that has a strained relationship with Romney's Mormon faith.