As Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama moves toward securing his party’s nomination, attacks on the candidate’s views on Israel and the Middle East are intensifying.
Mr Obama, who is now on a collision course with President George Bush and with Republican nominee John McCain over his more equivocal policy on Hamas and Iran, has made a point of answering every attack and of increasing his effort to prove his pro-Israel credentials to the US Jewish community.
The latest flare-up involved President Bush’s visit to Israel last week, in which he warned the Knesset against those trying “to appease” extremists and terrorists, comparing them to politicians who sought to appease Hitler. The Obama camp, and the entire Democratic Party, understood the remarks as a reference to Mr Obama’s statement he would enter into talks with Iran if elected president. The wording and venue of President Bush’s remarks led to a harsh response from Mr Obama, who called them “dishonest, divisive attacks”. Democratic leaders also criticised President Bush for dealing with internal politics while on an official visit abroad.
Mr Obama is also facing continuous attacks from Mr McCain, who claims he is weak on dealing with Iran and the favourite candidate of Hamas.