Senator John Kerry. Supports Obama
Photo: Reuters
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama
Photo: Reuters
Kerry defends Obama in Israel
2004 Democratic presidential candidate says online campaign claiming Obama is closet Muslim, soft on terror is nothing more than character assassination. 'Obama is 100 percent supporter of Israel,' says Kerry
US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts said Monday that Barack Obama is a 100 percent supporter of Israel and
if elected will bring new spirit to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking efforts.
Currently on a congressional visit to Israel, Kerry told the Associated Press that Obama has a deep understanding of Jewish history. Kerry helped Obama burst on the national stage in 2004 and has been a strong and vocal backer of Obama's 2008 campaign.
To Defend Himself?
Associated Press
In unusual pre-election tour, US presidential candidate to visit Europe, Middle East in effort to boost his foreign policy credentials. Trip to Israel may reinforce Jewish vote
The senator also claimed an online campaign questioning Obama's background and credentials is nothing more than a character assassination. Jewish critics have charged that Obama is a closet Muslim and is soft on terror.
"This is a man who has been in a minority status in his life, a man who understands what discrimination and even persecution can be and I think he has a really deep personal understanding of what Jewish history is," Kerry told reporters. "He understands the emotional, cultural, historical, political, strategic connection and I think he honors that."
Kerry went on to say that Obama has taken a more "sensible approach" to the issues of Iraq and Iran. "He is a 100 percent supporter of Israel, and he is committed to Israel in all the ways that all of us are, but I think he understands that there is a better way to achieve our goals in Iraq," he said.
"He has no illusions about the difficulties in Iran. Iran is a risk, a danger, a threat and a challenge, and we have to deal with it."
Kerry arrived from Saudi Arabia and is slated to meet Israeli leaders before departing for Egypt.
