Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Visits Sderot, Meets Olmert, Abbas

Candidate's Israel visit continues in meetings with Abbas, Olmert

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 23, 2008 12:45 PM CDT
Email

(AP) – Barack Obama waded into the thicket of Mideast politics today, siting down with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and visiting Sderot, an Israeli city near the Gaza border that's a frequent target of rocket attacks. If Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons, Obama said at a press conference, it would mark a "game-changing situation not only in the Middle East but around the world," he said. "America must always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself against those who threaten its people."

Obama held talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah. "Obama confirmed to President Abbas that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process," an aide said, adding that Obama told Abbas he would "not waste a minute" if elected.

Barack Obama visits the house of the Amar family in Sderot, southern Israel, which was hit recently by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.
Barack Obama visits the house of the Amar family in Sderot, southern Israel, which was hit recently by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo)
Barack Obama looks at the remains of a rocket that landed in southern Israel during a visit to the southern Israel town on Sderot with Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak, center, today.
Barack Obama looks at the remains of a rocket that landed in southern Israel during a visit to the southern Israel town on Sderot with Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak, center, today.   (AP Photo)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama listens to Israel's President Shimon Peres, not seen, during a meeting in Jerusalem today.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama listens to Israel's President Shimon Peres, not seen, during a meeting in Jerusalem today.   (AP Photo)
US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama speaks with director of Yad Vashem Avner Shalev in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem in Jerusalem, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama speaks with director of Yad Vashem Avner Shalev in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem in Jerusalem, Wednesday, July 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Daniel Berehulak, Pool)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
Iran • Barack Obama • Israel • Ehud Olmert • Mahmoud Abbas • nuclear • Election 2008

More Newser Stories

US Election Captivates Iran

Next, Thicket of Arab-Israeli Conflict Awaits Obama

Obama Camp Spills Some Details on Foreign Trip

German Press Criticizes Merkel's Palestinian Snub

Bush: Iran a 'Threat to World Peace'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne