As American Jews, we declare our support for Barack Obama, the Democratic Candidate for President.
Senator Obama is committed to an agenda around which Americans can unite to address our country's long-term needs as well as the challenges we face every day. He has the courage, the vision, and the wisdom to offer the change our society needs, coupled with the intellect, personality and oratorical gifts to help propel that agenda forward and restore America's standing in the world.
We stand with Senator Obama because of his lifelong commitment to values we as Jews hold dear, our tradition of tikkun olam - the Jewish mandate to "repair the world." This vision is exemplified by his dedication to providing affordable healthcare and quality education to all Americans; enacting equitable tax, jobs and economic policies; caring for our environment; bringing ethics reform and transparency back to our government; protecting civil rights and freedoms, and adopting a rational approach to our national security.
We support Senator Obama as a leader who has demonstrated long-standing and unwavering support for Israel, and a deeply felt admiration for its people and government, dating back to his days as a state legislator in Illinois. As Senator Obama pledged at AIPAC on June 4, "Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable."
Israelis understand that real security can only come through a lasting negotiated peace. Senator Obama has pledged to be a strong and consistent partner in helping Israel vigorously pursue a secure peace with its neighbors. This will be a priority throughout his term of office, rather than a final year's miracle.
Senator Obama has earned our respect and gratitude for his statements of moral outrage at the use of murder and terror by groups like Hamas, and for his far-sighted rejection of an Iraq war that has destabilized the Middle East and strengthened Iran. This was a quagmire against which Israeli leaders warned the U.S., into which we were misled by false claims about links between Saddam and Al Qaeda, and Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
Following in the footsteps of Truman, Kennedy and Reagan when facing our adversaries, Senator Obama will marshal all elements of American power to deny nuclear weapons to Iran. These presidents understood that tough principled diplomacy backed by real leverage strengthens America's position in the world.
From the earliest days of this campaign, we have watched as unsubstantiated and vicious rumors have spread through our community. Not one of the rumors has proven true. We ask those who continue to stir up baseless fears of harm to Israel to cease at once. Each of us must choose to support a candidate based on his record and plans for the future, not malicious innuendo.
Our nation needs new leadership that can offer light instead of darkness, hope instead of fear, and opportunities for peace instead of the threat of endless war.
As Jews and as Americans, we are proud to declare our support for Barack Obama, our partner in healing and transforming our society and the world.
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