Jesse Jackson confirms Obama is anti-Israel

Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Executive Director Matt Brooks issued the following statement today on remarks made by Rev. Jesse Jackson:

"Jesse Jackson confirmed the Jewish communities long-standing concerns with Barack Obama's policies on Israel and the Middle East," said Brooks.

As reported by the New York Post, Jackson said at the World Policy Conference last week, that Obama would bring "fundamental changes" to US foreign policy in the Middle East. The Post also reported that Jackson said, "'decades of putting Israel's interests first would end. Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades would lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House."

Obama national campaign co-chairman Gen. Tony McPeak echoed Jackson's sentiments in a 2003 interview with The Oregonian. McPeak said progress had not been made in the Middle East peace process because of the Jewish community in New York City and Miami. "We have a large vote -- vote, here in favor of Israel. And no politician wants to run against it," said McPeak.

"That those with such virulent anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views support an Obama presidency continues to be deeply troubling to the Jewish community. It highlights why Obama continues to have problems in the Jewish community," said Brooks.