JERUSALEM—U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts says that Barack Obama is a 100 percent supporter of Israel and if elected will bring new spirit to Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking efforts.
The 2004 Democratic presidential candidate also says an online campaign questioning Obama's background and credentials is nothing more than a character assassination. Jewish critics have charged that Obama is a closet Muslim and is soft on terror.
Kerry is on a congressional visit to Israel. He told the Associated Press on Monday that Obama has a deep understanding of Jewish history. Kerry helped Obama burst on the national stage in 2004 and has been a strong and vocal backer of Obama's 2008 campaign.
Kerry arrived from Saudi Arabia and is slated to meet Israeli leaders before departing for Egypt.
