Obama tries to reassure Israelis and Palestinians

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Wednesday it is in Israel's interest to achieve a lasting peace with the Palestinians, but he emphasized Israeli's right to defend itself.

He also said that Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel, but that the issue should be settled through negotiation.

"That's an issue that has to be dealt with the parties involved, the Palestinians and the Israelis, and it is not the job of the United States to dictate the form in which that will take, but rather to support the efforts that are being made right now to resolve these very difficult issues that have a long history," Obama said.

Obama spoke at a press conference in Sderot, near the Gaza border. The city has been a frequent target of rocket attacks from Palestinian militants, and the news conference was held next to a collection of the spent rockets.

"I bring to Sderot an unshakable commitment to Israel's security," Obama said. "The state of Israel faces determined enemies who seek its destruction. But it also has a friend and ally in the United States that will always stand by the people of Israel."

He also said that a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to both Israel and the United States.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080723/ap_on_el_pr/obama_mideast [link]