Obama co-chair Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. refutes dad Rev. Jackson comments on Israel

NEW YORK–This aggravation Barack Obama did not need–an incendiary quote from the Rev. Jesse Jackson about Israel as he is struggling to lock in support from Jewish voters, especially in the key battleground state of Florida, where his campaign just sent out a special mailing to Jewish voters pegged to Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kippur.

The Tuesday New York Post reported “Jackson believes that, although “Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades” remain strong, they’ll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House.”

His son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Wednesday morning refuted the comments his father made while in France at the World Economic Forum.

“I know that under a Barack Obama presidency, the United States of America’s relationship with Israel will remain rock-solid, strong and unshakable. Barack Obama is committed to maintaining and strengthening the special bond between our two countries, born of our shared values as well as our common interests.”

This is the third time during the long Obama campaign that Rep. Jackson felt compelled to address statement made by his father.

from the Jackson campaign….

CONGRESSMAN JACKSON DEFENDS OBAMA AND ISRAEL

RESPONDS TO NEW YORK POST REPORT

Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. today released the following statement in reaction to a New York Post article about Reverend Jackson’s remarks at the World Policy Forum.

“I know that under a Barack Obama presidency, the United States of America’s relationship with Israel will remain rock-solid, strong and unshakable. Barack Obama is committed to maintaining and strengthening the special bond between our two countries, born of our shared values as well as our common interests.

“As the vice-chair of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve traveled to Israel and seen firsthand the threats to its security. I’m eager to work with the new administration and the new Congress to ensure that Israel remains strong, secure and free.”

In his seventh term, Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. serves as the Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, which is responsible for providing foreign assistance. He also is a co-chair of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

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