Natan Sharansky said an Obama presidency would be a “risk” to Israel.
Sharansky, a former Israeli Cabinet minister, told Shalom TV in an interview that U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic candidate, has no record on foreign policy and that an Obama presidency would constitute a political gamble for Israel.
By contrast, Sharansky characterized U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive Republican nominee for president, as less risky, calling him “a person of principle, and he’s also a person who has absolutely a great record of supporting Israel.” Sharansky said he has known McCain for 20 years.
On Obama’s recent trip to Israel, Obama “said all the right things which Israelis wanted to hear,” Sharansky said. Obama created “a lot of picture opportunities mainly for the audience – the electorate. And the electorate are American Jews and Americans in general.”
Sharansky said that whatever the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, the future of the Jewish state ultimately is decided by Israelis.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
