Shimon Peres confident about new U.S. president

By JTA

article created on: 2008-12-01T00:00:00

JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israeli President Shimon Peres told the annual gathering of the North American Jewish federation system in Jerusalem that he has no fears about the new U.S. president.

Peres, speaking Nov. 17, said he is sure that Barack Obama will be good for the state of Israel.

“I am not an expert, but I have not the slightest doubt that the relationship between the United States and Israel will remain warm, profound and responsible,” Peres said during a wide-ranging speech about Israel’s future. “When Obama asked me what he can do for Israel, I told him, ‘Be a great president for the United States.’ Because the president of the United States, by definition has to fight terror and has to fight pollution and has to fight poverty and has to fight war. And without America, I don’t see anyone who will lead this struggle. America is not the policeman of the world, it is the country that helps others remain free.”