Obama: 'Unshakable commitment' to Israel

Candidate hopes to improve relations between black, Jewish communities

	Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to supporters during a town hall-style meeting at a synagogue in Boca Raton, Fla. Thursday, May 22, 2008.
J. Pat Carter / AP

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updated 5:54 p.m. ET May 22, 2008

BOCA RATON, Florida - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is promising an "unshakable commitment" to Israel if he is elected.

The Illinois senator also says he hopes his presidency would help improve strained relations between American black and Jewish communities.

The Illinois senator was speaking a town hall meeting at a synagogue in Florida on Thursday.

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Democratic presidential candidates didn't campaign in Florida during the primary, but Obama is focusing on the state now that he's close to wrapping up the nomination.

Some Jewish voters are turned off by his willingness to negotiate with countries like Iran and Syria. Others reject Obama because of e-mails spreading false rumors about him.

Obama stresses that he wouldn't negotiate with the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

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