Santorum heads to Israel with key backers

Former senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum (R) is traveling to Israel on Sunday, adding to signs he might try again for the presidency. 

Santorum’s group, Patriot Voices, announced that the three-day trip will begin Sunday. 

{mosads}Foreign trips are common precursors to presidential campaigns, and Santorum framed the trip to Israel as showing a contrast with President Obama’s policies. 

“This trip will be an important opportunity as representatives of the American people to show our solidarity with the people of Israel,” Santorum said in a statement. “Our goal is to tell Israel’s leaders and its people that Americans support them despite President Obama’s inconsistent rhetoric and actions regarding their country.”

During Israel’s conflict with Hamas and military campaign in Gaza this summer, the Obama administration has said it supports Israel’s right to defend itself but also called on Israel to do more to prevent civilian casualties. 

Santorum is making the trip with a delegation that includes Bob Vander Plaats, a key conservative Christian leader in Iowa, and Foster Friess, a donor who backed his 2012 presidential bid. 

In another sign of a presidential campaign, Santorum released a book this spring, titled “Blue Collar Conservatives.”