Did US President Obama support Israel?

Answer 1

Absolutely. Contrary to internet myths, the president has a strong relationship with Israel and has treated Israel as an important ally. Some Republicans, trying to get the Jewish vote, have claimed the president is anti-Israel, but there is no evidence to support this. There is, however, evidence that the current leader of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu dislikes President Obama and has aligned himself with conservative Republicans. Not everyone in Israel agrees with this, however. That said, it should also be noted that the president supports a two-state solution in the Middle East and believes both countries (Israel and the future Palestinian state) should live side-by-side, in peace and security. This has also been the belief of several other US presidents, including President Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Answer 2

Absolutely. Mr. Obama has a long history of support for Israel. Unfortunately, some of his political opponents have made statements that are not true, including claiming the president is anti-Israel. (Beware of internet myths with distorted quotes or statements which are attributed to Mr. Obama but that he never made.) Even Prime Minister Netanyahu (who is a personal friend of Mitt Romney and does not have a warm relationship with Mr. Obama) has acknowledged that Barack Obama has been very supportive of Israel, both financially and in his policies; other members of the Netanyahu government have also praised President Obama.

It should also be noted that Mr. Obama is supportive of a two-state solution in the middle east, and he would like to see Israelis and Palestinians living in peace and security. This is not unusual: it has been the official US policy for decades. He has also reached out to moderates in several Muslim-run countries; this too is US policy, and was followed by President Bush as well as President Clinton. But President Obama has been very firm about Israel's right to defend itself, and he supports that right without question.

Answer 3

The Obama Administration supported Israel in all of the various Gaza Wars, helping facilitate the arrival of American-made arms and funds to Israel. He also made several speeches to the effect that the Israelis have the right to defend themselves.