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WASHINGTON –
US Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barak Obama, reached out to the Jewish community on Wednesday in a conference call with 900 rabbis of all Jewish denominations ahead of Rosh Hashana.
Obama told the rabbis he identified with the Jewish new year's themes of "renewal and rededication."
reaffirmed his personal commitment to Israel's security, calling it "sacrosanct."
Obama told the rabbis that the Rosh Hashanah themes of to improving our world resonate with him, as they are similar to the themes he has emphasized in his own life and throughout his campaign.
"The Jewish New Year is unlike the new years of any other cultures," Obama said. "In part because it's not simply a time for revelry; it's a time for what might be called determined rejoicing. A time to put your affairs with other people in order so you can honestly turn to God. A time to recommit to the serious work of tikkun olam―of mending the world.”
The senator spoke of his recent trip to Israel, and reaffirmed personal commitment to Israel's security, calling it sacrosanct: “I think that it's also important to recognize that throughout my career in the State Legislature and now in the US Senate I have been a stalwart friend of Israel. On every single issue related to Israel's security, I have been unwavering, and will continue to be unwavering.
"My belief is that Israel's security is sacrosanct and we have to ensure that as the soul democracy in the
Middle East, one of our greatest allies in the world, one that shares a special relationship with us and shares our values, we have to make sure that they have the support whether its financial or military to sustain their security and the hostile environment."
Obama called the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons "unacceptable."
He also said it was important for the US to be "an effective partner with (Israel) in pursuing the possibilities of peace in the future, and that requires not only active engagement and negotiations that may take place with Palestinians but it also requires that we stand tough and with great clarity when it comes to Iran and the unacceptability of them possessing nuclear weapons."
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