Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., June 13, 2008 Sivan 10, 5768 | | Israel Time: 09:28 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Obama speaking at a Florida synagogue on Thursday. (AP)
Last update - 19:59 23/05/2008
Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected
By News Agencies
Tags: Israel, Synagogue 
If you get e-mail that says I'm a Muslim: not true

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday promised an "unshakable commitment" to Israel if he is elected.

Obama also explained the roots of his unusual name, listed some of his Jewish friends and voiced support for Israel on Thursday during a synagogue visit designed to shore up Jewish support for his U.S. presidential bid.

Obama, an Illinois senator and the front-runner for his party's White House nomination, addressed concerns about his views on Israel, his religion and his race during a nearly two-hour session at a synagogue with Democrats and Republicans in Florida, a state that will be key to winning November's general election.
Advertisement
"There is not a single trace of me ever being anything more than a friend of Israel and a friend of the Jewish people," Obama said, telling the crowd not to believe fliers and e-mails that suggested otherwise.

"Judge me by what I say and what I've done. Don't judge me because I've got a funny name. Don't judge me because I'm African-American."

Critics have raised doubts about Obama's commitment to the Jewish state, floating rumors that he was a Muslim and linking him to Louis Farrakhan, a prominent black Muslim leader known for his anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Obama is a Christian, has denounced Farrakhan, and has vowed not to change staunch American support of Israel - a mainstay of U.S. Middle East policy.

"If you get one of these e-mails that says I'm a Muslim: not true," he told the crowd.

The questions from the B'Nai Torah Congregation touched on Obama's policy proposals and his personal life. When asked about his name, Obama said it had the same roots as a similar Jewish one and meant "one who's blessed."

One questioner asked the Illinois senator to name close friends who were Jewish and pro-Israel.

"I hesitate to start listing them out," Obama said, cautioning against a stereotype that having acquaintances in a minority group meant you did not behave in a prejudiced way. He then identified three of his close Jewish friends.

Questioners also drilled him on his willingness to meet with U.S. foes like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has denounced Israel and denied the Holocaust occurred.

Obama, while critical of the Iranian president, said direct diplomacy with Iran would be more effective in advancing U.S. and Israeli interests than a lack of engagement.

Not everyone agreed.

"I think that our commander in chief should not propose talks with someone who calls for the destruction of Israel," Stephen Lippy, 51, told Reuters.

Some said they were concerned about Obama's support for the Jewish state before his visit but came away satisfied.

"I think today convinced me," said Aaron Levitt, 32, a rabbi and Democrat. "I feel like he made it very clear that Israel's at the center of his Middle East policy and would be a very important ally in his presidency."

Obama, who would be the nation's first black president, addressed the issue of race directly, saying he was concerned that a historic connection between African Americans and Jewish Americans had slipped.

"I want to make sure that I am one of the vehicles by which we can rebuild those bonds," he said.

A sample of audience members said race would not affect their votes, while admitting it could be an issue for some.

"I think that people don't realize it, but I do think it's there," said Obama supporter Barbara Schneider, 55.

"As a Jew, would I vote for a black person? Sure," said Lippy. "But ... my issue is will he be the best commander in chief when it comes to assisting Israel and our other Western democratic allies".



Related articles:
  • Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas
  • Obama slams Carter for meeting Hamas, tries to reassure Jewish voters
  • Why Obama needs Florida Jews
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Gin and Jews
    American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan.
    Late date
    Scientists revive 2,000-year-old date seed found at Masada.
      1.   balance needed 02:11  |  gearoid 23/05/08
      2.   Obama - Good Job 02:24  |  Reid 23/05/08
      3.   Obama = Chamberlain 02:54  |  Adam 23/05/08
      4.   Obama 03:33  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 23/05/08
      5.   Many Americans are way beyond this rhetoric & politicans 04:02  |  Dutch 23/05/08
      6.   McCain 04:35  |  Richard Stein 23/05/08
      7.   Obama promises unshakable commitment to Obama 04:39  |  J 23/05/08
      8.   J@#4 & "Rabbi" Yakov Lazaros@#1 05:57  |  Akiva P 23/05/08
      9.   Don`t Vote For Obama 05:58  |  Darlene 23/05/08
      10.   John McCain is an out-dated defender of war for its own sake. 05:59  |  Akiva P 23/05/08
      11.   unshakable 06:06  |  Shmuelshachor 23/05/08
      12.   To Rabbi Yakov some Israeli are arrogant 06:09  |  gus 23/05/08
      13.   Obama`s Promises 06:12  |  Edward 23/05/08
      14.   Thank you Mr. Stien, Obama is friend to Israel 06:14  |  gus 23/05/08
      15.   Mr J Obama`s committment is to America and to justice 06:16  |  gus 23/05/08
      16.   obama-oh bummer! 06:24  |  bezalel 23/05/08
      17.   Obama Hype 06:42  |  DJ 23/05/08
      18.   Some Friend 08:15  |  Tod Zuckerman 23/05/08
      19.   Obama Is Just A Political Person 08:21  |  Yosemite 23/05/08
      20.   To Dutch 08:44  |  Dr D 23/05/08
      21.   Americans are gullible, even US Jews regretably 09:35  |  Harvey (Chaim) 23/05/08
      22.   Neithe Obama nor CLinton nor McCain 10:29  |  Shimon Cleopas 23/05/08
      23.   president for life hussein obama 10:41  |  yo 23/05/08
      24.   The painful reality for the next POTUS 10:44  |  ghostoflutherblisset 23/05/08
      25.   Obama= Aliyah 10:55  |  Choni Davidowitz 23/05/08
      26.   The grip of the American Jewish Lobby starkly revealed 11:14  |  Clickfool 23/05/08
      27.   HE WILL BE AN HONEST BROKER 11:21  |  indrajaya 23/05/08
      28.   Barak, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship 11:25  |  Natallie Durson 23/05/08
      29.   China has America by the short and curlies # 24 11:26  |  Clickfool 23/05/08
      30.   the great leader hussein obama 11:28  |  yo 23/05/08
      31.   surely the worst aspect of hussein obama`s election is the 11:31  |  yo 23/05/08
      32.   The more Obama grovels before the Zionists... 12:01  |  Chanalau, Tova 23/05/08
      33.   Racism... 13:16  |  G 23/05/08
      34.   It is coming....... 14:10  |  William 23/05/08
      35.   #32 chanalu, Tova 14:16  |  * BEN JABO 23/05/08
      36.   Natalie -- you should try a dictionary 14:20  |  bbl 23/05/08
      37.   NO TO AMERICAS FIRST MUSLIM WOULD BE PREZ. 14:32  |  petra 23/05/08
      38.   Barack (from the Arabic Barake, blessed) Hussein Obama may promis 14:34  |  Ben 23/05/08
      39.   OBAMAS FAN CLUB HERE ARE ALL ANTI ISRAEL. 14:39  |  petra 23/05/08
      40.   # 32 Tova....A great number of Clinton supporters 14:42  |  Lynn 23/05/08
      41.   The World By DUTCH 14:56  |  Gil 23/05/08
      42.   The World By DUTCH 14:57  |  Gil 23/05/08
      43.   NO CHANCE whatsoever that Obama will win Florida..... 15:09  |  Swiss (Dino) 23/05/08
      44.   ISRAEL IS AN ABOMINATION 15:10  |  JH 23/05/08
      45.   to "gus" on #12 15:20  |  Shmuelshachor 23/05/08
      46.   Tell Stephen Lippy that he`s an American not Israeli 15:23  |  Tupac 23/05/08
      47.   balance a nice word for weakness 15:30  |  POP 23/05/08
      48.   Old Jews don`t change, they just fade away 15:38  |  Tosefta 23/05/08
      49.   # 38 Ben ....not to feel bad 15:44  |  Lynn 23/05/08
      50.   Apparently you can`t even know a Palestinian 15:46  |  Aphemia 23/05/08
      51.   My vote has been pre-determined 15:47  |  * BEN JABO 23/05/08
      52.   #38 Ben 15:59  |  Peter 23/05/08
      53.   bbl 16:03  |  Natallie Durson 23/05/08
      54.   dual loyalty 16:04  |  curious george 23/05/08
      55.   What He Don`t Know 16:06  |  Cool B 23/05/08
      56.   A sad commentary on US politics 16:09  |  Janice 23/05/08
      57.   USA FIRST and LAST 16:12  |  Marian 23/05/08
      58.   # 40, LYNN 16:13  |  indrajaya 23/05/08
      59.   Obama...elect me...I`ll say anything! 16:20  |  George 23/05/08
      60.   39, You`re right, but alas, many Jews have no self respect 16:22  |  Harvey (Chaim) 23/05/08
      61.   OBAMA`S PANDERING TO ISRAEL IS SICKENING 16:33  |  JH 23/05/08
      62.   Obama or McCain? 16:34  |  Amir 23/05/08
      63.   G # 33 16:40  |  ChanahS 23/05/08
      64.   Chanahlau Tova (or whatever) 32 and others 16:46  |  ChanahS 23/05/08
      65.   Kind of Glad I do not vote (Not American) 16:52  |  Robert/Montreal 23/05/08
      66.   # 26 Clickfool, talks about cancers.... 16:56  |  Robert/Montreal 23/05/08
      67.   william #34 your 100% correct and if the jews keep rubbing 16:56  |  terrornator 23/05/08
      68.   #28 Natalie Assume makes an ASS of U and ME 16:58  |  Robert/Montreal 23/05/08
      69.   He runs for office in U.S. or Israel? No difference, I suppose 16:58  |  FK 23/05/08
      70.