Obama pledges support for Israel

[Fabregas]

Obama Pledges Support for Israel, Blasts McCain Hamas Comments

 

By Julianna Goldman

 

May 9 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama said as president he would work to ensure Israel's security and protect its relationship with the U.S.

 

``I pledge to you that I will do whatever I can in whatever capacity to not only ensure Israel's security but also to ensure that the people of Israel may thrive and prosper and build on the enormous promise that was made 60 years ago,'' the Democratic presidential contender said at an event last night sponsored by the Israeli Embassy in Washington honoring the 60th anniversary of Israel's statehood.

 

Illinois Senator Obama also said John McCain's suggestion last month that the militant Islamic group Hamas favors Obama is ``offensive'' and a ``smear'' that goes counter to McCain's promise to run a positive campaign. Senator McCain of Arizona is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

 

``My policy toward Hamas has been no different than his,'' Obama said yesterday in an interview on CNN. ``I've said that they are a terrorist organization, that we should not negotiate with them unless they recognize Israel, renounce violence, and unless they are willing to abide by previous accords between the Palestinians and the Israelis.''

 

`We Like Mr. Obama'

 

Ahmed Yousef, a political adviser for the militant organization Hamas, which gained control of the Gaza Strip last year, said in an April 13 interview with New York's WABC radio station that ``we like Mr. Obama'' and that ``he is, like John Kennedy, a great man with great principles.''

 

Yousef's comments prompted McCain to remark in an April 25 conference call with bloggers that ``it's clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States,'' according to an account of the call on the Web site of Commentary magazine.

 

Obama's commitment to Israel and the Jewish community has come under scrutiny after e-mails circulated claiming that Obama is a Muslim and after an endorsement from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, whom his former pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, has praised.

 

While Obama, 46, is a Christian and has denounced both Farrakhan and Wright, his ties have stirred concern among members of the Jewish community, and his campaign has been working to allay fears and shore up support.

 

Obama is leading the race for the Democratic presidential nomination over New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

 

Clinton Statement

 

``Just as the United States recognized Israel at birth, and has always stood by Israel when its survival and well-being were challenged, so too do the American people stand by Israel today, united by shared values and strong bonds of friendship,'' Clinton said today in a statement.

 

Last night's speech was Obama's first public event since his May 6 victory in the North Carolina primary and narrow defeat in Indiana. He was introduced by Sallai Meridor, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.

 

While Israel has developed many friendships, ``none is deeper than the bond between the people of Israel and the people of the United States,'' Obama said. The friendship between the two countries ``will withstand any challenge to Israel -- because America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable,'' he said.