Obama Speaks to Jewish Voters on Israel

January 29, 2008

Author: LAURIE COPANS

Source: Yahoo News

Wire Service: AP

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080129/ap_on_el_pr/obama_israel;_ylt=AvgN094Q.g.F12DjFZRr40Y7Xs8F

Barack Obama wooed Jewish voters and skeptical Israelis in interviews published Tuesday, voicing support for key Israeli demands in peace talks with the Palestinians.

Winning over Israel could help the Democratic presidential candidate gain favor with American Jews, who make up large voting blocs in key states like New York and Florida.

But he faces a difficult task. Israeli officials say privately they would prefer Obama's main rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton, due to her experience and the backing her husband, Bill Clinton, gave Israel during his two terms as president in the 1990s. In contrast, Obama is relatively unknown here.