Obama vows to ensure security of Israel

By Deborah Charles

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama said on Thursday the U.S. friendship with Israel was "unbreakable" and vowed to ensure the security of the Jewish state if elected president.

"America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakable," Obama said to cheers and applause during a brief speech at a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel. "I am absolutely convinced that our friendship between the two nations is unbreakable."

Obama, who leads Hillary Clinton in the drawn-out fight for the Democratic nomination, gave few details of his plans for the Middle East but vowed to work to ensure a secure Israel.

"I pledge to you that I will do whatever I can in whatever capacity to not only ensure Israel's security, but also to ensure that the people of Israel may thrive and prosper and build on the enormous promise that was made 60 years ago."

Critics have raised doubts about Obama's commitment to the Jewish state, floating rumors that he was a Muslim and linking him to Louis Farrakhan, a U.S. political figure known for his anti-Israel rhetoric.

Obama is a Christian and has denounced Farrakhan. He has vowed not to change staunch American support of Israel -- the mainstay of U.S. Middle East policy.

Obama's advisers have criticized U.S. President George W. Bush for taking a low-profile approach during his first seven years in office and for not pushing hard to follow up on the Annapolis peace summit in November.

In the Arab world, where many view U.S. policy as biased toward Israel, there is intense interest in whether Obama's approach to the Middle East would be different.