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Barack Obama (Reuters) Last update - 15:10 27/02/2008 Obama: I'm a 'stalwart friend' of Israel, its security is 'sacrosanct' By Shmuel Rosner and Haaretz Service Tags: Barack Obama, Nation of Islam  Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Tuesday stressed his "stalwart" support for Israel and his ties to American Jews, during a presidential debate with rival candidate Hillary Clinton. During the debate, Mediator Tim Russert pressed Obama on the endorsement he got from the anti-Semitic African-American leader Louis Farrakhan. Obama said: "I have been very clear in my denunciations of Minister Farrakhan's anti-Semitic comments. I did not solicit this support." Advertisement Obama leveled criticism on Farrakhan's anti-Israel and anti-Semitic statements, calling them "unacceptable and reprehensible." He added that has always been "a stalwart friend of Israel's" and said he considers Israel to be one of the U.S.' "most important allies in the region [Mideast]." "I think that their security is sacrosanct," he added. In response to Obama's remarks, Clinton argued that there was a difference between denunciation and rejection of the endorsement. "You asked specifically if he [Obama] would reject it [the endorsement] and there's a difference between denouncing and rejecting," she said. "If the word 'reject' Senator Clinton feels is stronger than the word 'denounce', then I'm happy to concede the point and I would reject and denounce [Farrakhan]" Obama responded. Obama spoke about this same issue a few days ago as he was meeting a group of Jewish activists in Cleveland. Some who attended the event and do not belong to his camp said he was very convincing. "At his best," one of them said. But in the debate he was even better and was able to score again on the same topic, elaborating on something of great importance to Jewish liberals. Obama, talking about Farrakhan - and about anti-Semitism among African-Americans, which he also denounced in his speech on Martin Luther King Day - touched a sensitive nerve when he was talking about one possibility that's inherent to his candidacy: the chance to restore the alliance between blacks and Jews. Related articles: A promise no Jewish liberal can ignore Would Obama be supportive of an Israel governed by Likud? The row over Obama's stance on Israel is a dispute between Jews Jewish functionaries are stirring up the Clinton-Obama race Obama is gaining momentum- also among Jews Where is our Obama? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Jews support 4 Black Civil Rights never impressed US Blacks 15:14  |  Alan 27/02/08   2.   WHO IS "ISRAEL`s FRIEND"? 15:40  |  Shafui Contra Fui 27/02/08   3.   Indignified America 15:58  |  Clickfool 27/02/08   4.   He is THEIR president NOT ours...worry about Olmert 16:04  |  Israeli 27/02/08   5.   Baloney - He Gave Money For Years to Min.Wright 16:06  |  Tod Zuckerman 27/02/08   6.   Why is Israel interfering in US politics? 16:06  |  POP 27/02/08   7.   COUNTER PRODUCTIVE LOBBY 16:36  |  Mike 27/02/08   8.   With Friends Like Barack Obama . . . 17:08  |  Paul 27/02/08   9.   Pop... ridiculous 17:48  |  Terence 27/02/08   10.   . 17:48  |  . 27/02/08   11.   dont believe his lies 17:49  |  amy 27/02/08   12.   #3 Clickfool 17:53  |  Space 27/02/08   13.   with friends like that who needs enemies? 17:58  |  Frum de Hip 27/02/08   14.   Clickfool ignores the reality 18:03  |  Sam 27/02/08   15.   For Sam # 14 18:21  |  Clickfool 27/02/08   16.   Israeli: I`m American. you can interfere in our politics anytime 19:03  |  American and Pal 27/02/08   17.   RE: Amy`s Insinuation 19:06  |  David 27/02/08   18.   US Vote: A Prostitute vs. a Muslim? 19:06  |  Jewboy 27/02/08   19.   # 6 It is time the Pop for - Idiot, which more reflects who are.. 19:11  |  Misha 27/02/08   20.   Obama and the Jews, Clickfool you lose 19:18  |  Jeffrey 27/02/08   21.   Jewboy: Why do you have a problem saying 19:54  |  American 27/02/08   22.   Jeffrey - Huh? 19:58  |  American 27/02/08   23.   Clickfool, not to worry 20:01  |  Ameri 27/02/08   24.   ATTENTION US Jews: Obama contradicts himself regarding Israel 20:23  |  Eric 27/02/08   25.   #22 - Jeffrey: You are SO wrong! 20:40  |  Maurice 27/02/08   26.   Sacrosanct? Obama: another Slave to Israel lobby 20:42  |  Kovacic 27/02/08   27.   Obama 20:53  |  P. J. Casey 27/02/08   28.   #18 jewboy 21:14  |  wh 27/02/08   29.   A Israel friend 21:34  |  Dav 27/02/08   30.   oBAMAis a LIAR! 22:14  |  Avram 27/02/08   31.   Eric - HE IS RIGHT! 22:18  |  NYC JEW 27/02/08   32.   #31 - NYC Jew lacks elementary logic 22:36  |  Eric 27/02/08   33.   McCain/Obama contest at draw 23:17  |  Lobbyist 27/02/08   34.   Its a TAQIYA he`s parcticing, lying is good for 18:49  |  Cristo 28/02/08   35.   Obama 19:55  |  P. J. Casey 28/02/08   36.   israel creates it own enemy`s on a daily 15:58  |  no us tax payer supp 29/02/08

Today Online 2 IDF soldiers, 61 Palestinians die in Gaza clashes Responses: 615 Barak: Hamas will pay for its escalation in the south Responses: 469 Analysis: Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble Responses: 250 Bradley Burston: True Islam will spell defeat for the Jihadists Responses: 131 When McCain and Obama face off, Israel may find itself in the eye of the storm Responses: 127 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 03:34 After day of Gaza bloodshed, IAF strikes Haniyeh headquarters 00:15 PA suspends peace talks with Israel over Gaza violence 04:56 UN chief: Israel's use of violence in Gaza is 'disproportionate' 00:48 Family and friends gather to pay respects to fallen IDF soldiers 04:21 The perspective from Ashkelon: Don't test our patience 04:31 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 22:40 N.Y. Plaza Hotel, co-owned by Israeli and Saudi groups, reopens doors 04:05 On Arab TV, the images from Gaza are of dead women and children 04:07 The hummus test: Peki'in's Jewish tourists switch from Druze to Muslim 05:07 Expats' kids returning to Israel to enlist in IDF at rising rate 00:18 Vice Premier: Reoccupying Gaza will hurt Israel more than help it Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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