Shalev at the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
Photo: Reuters
The Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has pledged to strengthen American bonds with Israel as he began a visit to Israeli and the Palestinian territories. Obama also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. Obama, who flew in from Jordan and Iraq late on Tuesday, opened his day with a meeting at his Jerusalem hotel with Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak, the first engagement on a presidential-style schedule. He was later due to see prime minister Ehud Olmert, foreign minister Tzipi Livni, and - in Ramallah - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
Obama was also due in Sderot, a southern Israeli town that has long been in the firing line of rockets and mortars from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. After touching down at Tel Aviv airport following a short flight from Jordan, Obama made a brief statement, saying it was "wonderful to be back in Israel ... I want input and insight from Israeli leaders about how they see the current situation. I will share some of my ideas."
"The most important thing for me to share is the historic and special relationship between the United States and Israel, one that cannot be broken. One that I have affirmed throughout my career and one that I will intend to not only continue but strengthen in an Obama administration."
Hours before his arrival, a Palestinian man was shot dead after launching a bulldozer rampage that wounded at least 16 people near Jerusalem's King David Hotel, where Obama is staying. Obama condemned the attack, saying it was "a reminder of what Israelis have had to courageously live with on a daily basis for far too long," and promised to vigorously join the search for Middle East peace if he is elected in November.
