US Elections 2008

Obama Middle East comments anger Palestinians

Article published on the 2008-06-04 Latest update 2008-06-05 08:30 TU

US Senator Barack Obama at the AIPAC policy conference
(Photo: Reuters)

US Democratic frontrunner Barak Obama gave his first major foreign policy speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Council (AIIPAC) on Wednesday, calling himself a "true friend" of Israel. He spoke to the US's most powerful lobby group before his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

"Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided," said Obama.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas criticised the candidate for his remarks, "rejecting" his assertion. One of the sticking points of Middle East peace is the establishment of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. It was occupied and annexed by Israel in the 1967 war.

"Jerusalem is one of the files under negotiation," said Abbas. "The entire world knows perfectly well that we will never accept a state without [east] Jerusalem [as its capital]. That should be clear," he added.

His pro-Israel speech also angered top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.

"We reject the positions of Barak Obama because they are in contradiction with the traditional positions of the United States which considers that East Jerusalem is under occupation," he said.

The 46-year-old senator from Illinois has come under fire in the past for his offer to speak to the leaders of Iran, a country that is regularly criticised by Israel and the Bush adminstration. Obama won enthusiastic applause at the Aipac meeting when he declared that major pressure will be put on Iran to abandon its nuclear programme and its hostility to Israel.

"We will open up lines of communication, build an agenda, coordinate closely with our allies, and evaluate the potential for progress," said Obama. "Contrary to the claims of some, I have no interest in sitting down with our adversaries just for the sake of talking."

Hillary Clinton, who had refused to concede defeat in the contest for the Democratic nomination, also spoke to the Aipac conference, as did Republican candidate John  McCain.

But she spoke up for her rival.

"Let me be very clear, I know that Senator Obama will be a good friend to Israel," she said.