In what appears like a clear endorsement of a presidential candidate, Defense
Minister Ehud Barak said Monday night that Barack Obama has been the most
supportive president on matters of Israeli security throughout the two
countries’ diplomatic relations.
In an interview aired late Monday night
on CNN, Barak told political anchor Wolf Blitzer that the Obama administration’s
support of Israeli defense and intelligence establishments was far greater than
under any other administration he remembered working with since and including
President Jimmy Carter.
“I think that from my point of view as defense
minister they are extremely good, extremely deep and profound. I can see
long years [and] administrations of both sides of political aisle deeply
supporting the state of Israel and I believe that reflects a profound feeling
among the American people,” Barak said.
“But I should tell you honestly
that this administration, under President Obama, is doing in regard to our
security more than anything that I can remember in the past,” he
added.
Barak’s interview to CNN came just days after Republican
presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited Israel and just before US Secretary
of Defense Leon Panetta will visit the country.
In an interview with
Israel Radio on Monday, Barak was asked why he did not meet Romney during his
visit to Jerusalem on Sunday.
“There is one president at any given time
in the US just like here there is one government,” he responded.