Obama, Jackson Reject Israel Column

Criticize NY Post Story Suggesting Jackson Expects Obama To Reduce Israel's Clout At The White House

(AP)  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign sharply rejected on Wednesday a conservative columnist's report that civil rights leader Jesse Jackson expects Obama to reduce Israel's clout at the White House.

Jackson himself denounced New York Post columnist Amir Taheri for "selectively imposing his own point of view and distorting mine" in the column that appeared Tuesday.

The column said Jackson predicted to a policy forum in France last week that "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end and added in an interview that Zionists would lose a great deal of their clout if Obama is elected.

Obama's national security spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said Jackson does not advise Obama and is "in no position to interpret or share Barack Obama's views on Israel and foreign policy."

"Barack Obama has a fundamental commitment to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship," Morigi said. "As president, he will ensure that Israel can defend itself from every threat it faces, stand with Israel in his quest for a secure peace with its neighbors, and use all elements of American power to end Iran's illicit nuclear program."

In a separate written statement, Jackson said the column was slanted "to incite fear and division."

"I stand forthrightly for the security and stability of Israel, its protection from any form of hostility and a peaceful, nonviolent resolution to coexisting with its Palestinian neighbors," Jackson said. The statement added that he "has never had a conversation with Sen. Obama about Israel or the Middle East."

In July, Jackson apologized for a crude off-air remark he made about Obama in what he thought was a private conversation during a break in taping for a Fox News show. Jackson was reported by Fox to have been saying the Obama appeared to be talking down to blacks in remarks about parental responsibility.

[runningralph]

The US pays out billions in foreign aid to many other countries. The US and Britain together established the oil industry in the Middle East. The money US taxpayers pay to Israel is a pittance compared to what Middle Eastern countries have garnered from exporting oil- a business that did not exist there until Britain and US companies developed it. And Israel is one of the few countries receiving US aid that has not bitten the hand that feeds it. In fact, Israel is the best ally the US has in the Middle East.

[truthliesgov]

Jessie is another Sara Palin. I have never trusted him. He is like a ''bridge to no where''. He comes out when the elites needs a "good ole boy". What''s the matter Jessie are you mad because they did not take your presidential bid serious.

[zietzke-2009]

The U.S. has been giving Isreal $ 5 Billion a year for the last 30 years, every since the camp David accord with Egypt. That''s $ 150 Billion U.S. tax payer dollars ! What has Isreal ever done for the U.S. ? Have they ever paid us back ?

Isreal needs to be secure and I support an Isreal
aid program, but a $ 150 Billion ? Thats a lot of money that we needed for education, roads, healthcare, energy development and so on....Its time we think of OUR country, OUR children and OUR security for a change.

[robert2237]

Seems Obama and Jackson tap dancing around another issue that I am sure the press will ask no questions about since it is Obama. America how do you feel being lied to by both the media and the person you want to elect for you President

[peter779]

Obama was a paid director of the Woods Fund in 1993-2002 and served on board together with Ayers, a former Weathermen terrorist. Woods Fund gave grants to the Arab American Action Network. AAAN was founded by Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, former director of the Palestinian Liberation Organization press agency, a harsh critic of Israel and supporter of Palestinian terror. AAAN calls the creation of Israel as a "catastrophe". Khalidi also has held a fundraiser for Obama.
Woods Fund gave grants to the Trinity United Church of Christ. On church%u2019s website there are allegations about Israeli %u201Cgenocide%u201D and %u201Cethnic cleansing%u201D of Palestinians and that Israelis %u201Cworked on an ethnic bomb that kills blacks and Arabs%u201D. Trinity%u2019s ex-pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a %u201Cspiritual mentor%u201D of Obama, he compares Israel to apartheid S.Africa and gave anti-Semite L. Farrakhan an award for being a leader who %u201Ctruly epitomized greatness%u201D.
An anti-Israel activist, Ali Abunimah, claimed that he have met Obama at pro-Palestinian events in Chicago and that %u2018Obama used to be very comfortable speaking up for and being associated with Palestinian rights and opposing the Israeli occupation%u2019. He included a photo of Obama seated at a table with anti-Israeli Professor E. Said in a May 1998.

[wlmrtpatriot]

''gasp'' the article IS in the New York Post. It is a direct quote of Jessee''s.

[dburfears]

Another perfect example of LYING REPUBLICANS MAKING GARBAGE UP.

COVERING RIGHT WING NUTS simply spreads their SLANDER AND LIES.

This was a TOTAL FABRICATION by a MCCAIN SUPPORTER.

OBAMA HAS NEVER SAID OR EVEN INDICATED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

[skeetchamp]

the truth is not on McCain''s side, which is why he and his friends have done nothing but lie to us. the level of desperation of their lies has intensified as the picture becomes more clear. like most Jews, I understand Obama is a committed Christian, and looking at the world through that framework leaves him wholly committed to protecting Israel.