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October 8, 2008 4:51:55 AM CDT

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Obama, in Israel, Vows to Work for Peace as President

Posted Jul 22, 08 5:16 PM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Barack Obama touched down in Israel late today, promising work on peace negotiations “starting from the minute I’m sworn into office.” He said that while the “historic and special relationship” between the US and Israel “is not going to change,” an American president could be more concerned with “the legitimate difficulties that the Palestinian people are experiencing,” the AP reports.

He also condemned a violent attack in Jerusalem today, pledging “to work diligently” and “urgently…to defeat terrorism.” He said that no US president “can suddenly snap his fingers and bring about peace” and noted the harsh reality that today's Israeli government is “unsettled” and the Palestinian one is “divided.” The candidate will meet with a host of leaders tomorrow.

Source Associated Press

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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., walks through Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
United States Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama speaks to reporters after his arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, late Tuesday, July 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ziv Koren,Pool)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gives a statement after he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Barack Obama  • terrorism  • Hamas  • Palestine  • Fatah  • Arab Israeli conflict


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