[On May 22, Obama told the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee that
he has made military cooperation with Israel a U.S. priority, Middle East Newsline reported. The president
also said he approved the toughest sanctions on Iran.]
The sources said Obama's campaign against Israel was not shared by the
House or Senate leadership or most of Congress. They said most Americans
were concerned over economic issues and would not be mobilized against the
Jewish state.
The reassurances to Israel, which included pledges of continued U.S.
military aid, were said to have been relayed by both Democrats and
Republicans. The Democrats controls the Senate while the Republicans form a
majority in the House.
On May 19, Obama called on Israel withdraw from the West Bank and most
of Jerusalem and allow the establishment of a Palestinian state without a
full peace agreement. The president's address, which devoted little
attention to Iran or Syria, was strongly criticized by Republicans while
Democrats remained silent.
"Obama has the next month to show he's tough with Israel," another
congressional source said. "Then, the pressure will be on him to deliver on
his promise to withdraw from Afghanistan as well as work on the economy."