McCain pledges support for Israel

ARLINGTON, Va., June 2 (UPI) -- Divestiture of investments and sanctions are several options Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., outlined Monday to pressure Iran to change its behavior.

During an address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference in Arlington, Va., the presumptive Republican presidential nominee outlined his ideas for security in the Middle East and Israel.

"The threats to Israel's security are large and growing, and America's commitment must grow as well," McCain said. "I am committed to making certain Israel maintains its qualitative military edge."

Iran is the principle threat to Israel, McCain said, listing provocative actions such as its nuclear policy, sponsorship of terrorist organizations and anti-Israel remarks made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Rather than sitting down unconditionally with the Iranian president or supreme leader in the hope that we can talk sense into them, we must create the real-world pressures that will peacefully but decisively change the path they are on," said McCain, needling Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for his suggestion of unconditional talks with Iran.

Among the actions McCain suggested to pressure Iran to change are political, financial and economic sanctions, designating Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization and instituting a worldwide divestment initiative, similar to the one against South Africa in opposition apartheid.