Romney, in turnaround, bars press from Israel fundraiser

JERUSALEM, July 28 (UPI) -- Likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney Saturday violated a previous agreement by barring the news media from a fundraiser in Jerusalem.

The about-face comes after the Romney campaign in April agreed to allow a pool of wire, print and television reporters to cover all fundraisers held in public venues including hotels, The Washington Post reported. Monday's event will take place at the King David Hotel and will include Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.

Romney has in the past expressed different ideas to donors when he was under the impression no reporters were present, for instance suggesting to donors in Florida this spring he might eliminate the Department of Housing and Urban Development and drastically cut the Department of Education, the Post said.

Campaign spokesman Rick Gorka offered no explanation for the violation of pre-established protocol, saying, "That's all I've got for you -- it's closed press."