Israeli President Shimon Peres hosted New Jersey’s governor April 3 on the second day of his visit to Israel.
Gov. Chris Christie, a rising star in Republican politics, was in Israel on his first official overseas trip. The high-profile, four-day visit has raised speculation he could be positioning himself for a run at national office, though he has rejected such suggestions and insisted the trip is aimed at strengthening ties with his state.
At the meeting, Peres hailed Christie as “an outstanding friend to Israel.”
Christie also visited Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, a global generics giant. New Jersey is home to many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
The previous day, Christie met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Christie endorsed Mitt Romney’s bid for president in October, ending months of speculation over whether he would run for president. He hasn’t said yet whether he’ll seek re-election as governor next year, leaving the door open to a vice presidential bid. He is rumored to be on Romney’s short list.
Christie, 49, is also seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2016. — ap