People who care about American interests in the Middle East have been concerned about some of the radical leftists Barack Obama has been surrounding himself with. Among them are some of the most anti-Israeli figures in America.

Now, to judge by the conference call Obama gave yesterday to reporters from Jewish newspapers, he has suddenly become “pro-Israel” in an attempt to go after the Jewish vote.

Palestinian refugees belong in their own state and do not have a “literal” right of return to Israel, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday.
“The outlines of any agreement would involve ensuring that Israel remains a Jewish state,” Obama told members of the Jewish and Israeli press on a conference call. He reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but said, “We cannot move forward until there is some confidence that the Palestinians are able to provide the security apparatus that would prevent constant attacks against Israel from taking place.”
… “There has been a constant and virulent smear campaign via the Internet that has been particularly targeted against the Jewish community,” he said. “It is absolutely false. I have never practiced Islam. I was raised by my secular mother, and I have been a member of the Christian religion and an active Christian.”
… Regarding Iran, he called for more pressure on the regime, as a divestment bill he sponsored advocates, but didn’t mention the possibility of using force. He also said that “carrots” needed to be offered.

Many don’t believe Obama is being fully candid about never having practised Islam. For example, on Page 154 of Obama’s book Dreams from My Father, he states that he attended Muslim school for two years. And both his father and step-father were Muslims. Daniel Pipes and Ed Lasky have published such doubts elsewhere.

Now what’s Obama going to do about the ethnic slaughter in Kenya?