Flap about Jesse Jackson's Israel comments

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Jesse Jackson's comment that Barack Obama would change U.S. policy on Israel shows the Democratic nominee's real views, a McCain spokesman said.

Jackson, as quoted by a columnist for the New York Post, said at a conference in France the influence of the "Zionists who have controlled America's policy for decades" would end if Obama becomes U.S. president.

Randy Scheunemann, a senior adviser on foreign policy to Republican presidential nominee John McCain, said that while Obama claims to be a strong supporter of Israel his supporters "know better," CNN reported.

"It should not surprise anyone that Obama's supporters see what others, from the terrorist group Hamas to Iranian President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, have seen: an Obama presidency would bring real change to America's policy of support for Israel," Scheunemann said.

Wendy Morigi, an Obama spokeswoman, said that the Illinois senator has made his support for Israel clear. She also pointed out that Jackson has no position with the campaign and doesn't speak for Obama.

Jackson on Wednesday said his comments were "distorted" and that he'd never spoken with Obama on Middle East issues.