Breaking News

Obama: Iraq war jeopardized Israel

mailE-mail article
Share on Facebook
Digg this
mailTell the Editors
What bloggers
are saying


Barack Obama told an AIPAC conference that the Iraq war had endangered Israel.

"Because of war in Iraq, Iran, which always posed a greater threat than Iraq, is emboldened," the Illinois senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said Wednesday at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy forum.

In a wide-ranging speech, Obama said he would be steadfast in his support for Israel and praised the Jewish state for destroying a nuclear reactor in Syria last September.

"I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," he said to a standing ovation while defending his policy of using direct diplomacy to persuade Iran to end its suspected nuclear weapons program.

In a response organized by the campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain {R-Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. Joseph lieberman (I-Conn.) said Obama was wrong to blame Iran's resurgent power on the Iraq war.

"If Israel is in danger today, it is not because of American foreign policy," Lieberman said in a conference call. "It's because Iran is a terrorist, expansionist state."

More Breaking News from JTA
previousPrevious
NextNext

If you reached this page via email, click here to go to the JTA web site.


mailJTA Daily Briefing: Our free newsletter delivers breaking news & timely, topical information right to your inbox:
Enter Name:
E-Mail Address: