Myth: “Obama has no paper trail on Israel”
Senator Barack Obama’s detractors claim that he hasn’t been in the US Senate for long enough to establish a record of support for Israel. This claim is false. In fact, there is ample evidence of Obama’s unshakeable support for Israel, from his record in the Illinois and US Senate, from his public statements, and from his team of advisers on the Middle East (his real team of advisers, not the fictional team fabricated by those attempting to smear him).
Obama has a perfect pro-Israel voting record
- He has voted in favor of foreign aid to Israel every time.
- He has signed onto numerous pro-Israel letters and resolutions.
- When in the State Senate, he cosponsored a bill authorizing the state of Illinois to invest in Israel bonds.
Obama believes Israel’s security is paramount
- Obama said, “Israel’s security is sacrosanct […] I will also carry with me an unshakable commitment to the security of Israel and the friendship between the United States and Israel.” New York Sun, 2/25/2008
- At the NJDC Washington Conference, Obama declared, “When I am President, the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel in search of this peace and in defense against those who seek its destruction.” Philadelphia Jewish Voice, 7/2007
Obama’s Middle East advisers are pro-Israel
- Tony Lake: former Clinton National Security Council adviser
- Eric Lynn: senior aide to former Rep. Peter Deutsch (D-FL)
- Denis McDonough: former senior foreign policy adviser for Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD)
- Ambassador Dennis Ross
- Dan Shapiro: former National Security Council official during the Clinton Administration
- Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Obama says “No” to Iranian Nukes
- He introduced an Iran divestment bill in Congress, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007.
- Obama stated, “My approach to Iran will be aggressive diplomacy. I will not take any military options off the table.” New York Sun, 2/25/2008
Obama repudiates Hamas and Hezbollah
- Obama cosponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.
- He joined a letter calling on the European Union to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist groups.
- Obama said, “I am not naïve. There is a hard core of jihadist fundamentalists who we can’t negotiate with. We have to hunt them down and knock them out. Incapacitate them.” New York Sun, 2/25/2008