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Obama: Israel's security 'sacrosanct'

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama calls the issue of Israel's security "sacrosanct" in a speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington Wednesday. (File photo from an appearance at the College of Southern Nevada in North Las Vegas on May 27, 2008.) (UPI Photo/Daniel Gluskoter)
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama calls the issue of Israel's security "sacrosanct" in a speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington Wednesday. (File photo from an appearance at the College of Southern Nevada in North Las Vegas on May 27, 2008.) (UPI Photo/Daniel Gluskoter) | License Photo

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- Declaring himself "a true friend of Israel," U.S. Sen. Barack Obama Wednesday pledged to maintain Israel's "qualitative military advantage" in the Middle East.

Obama, fresh from claiming the Democratic nomination for president at the end of the primary season Tuesday, addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in Washington, saying U.S. foreign policy must be altered.

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"The question is how to move forward," Obama said, after first acknowledging there are some very "scary" e-mails circulating about him. "There are those who would continue and intensify this failed status quo, ignoring eight years of accumulated evidence that our foreign policy is dangerously flawed. And then there are those who would lay all of the problems of the Middle East at the doorstep of Israel and its supporters …

"Those who threaten Israel threaten us. … And I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel's security.

"That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage."

Obama said he was speaking from his heart "as a true friend of Israel."

"Let me be clear. Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable," Obama said. "The Palestinians need a state that is contiguous and cohesive, and that allows them to prosper -- but any agreement with the Palestinian people must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish state, with secure, recognized and defensible borders. Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided."

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