Obama visits Holocaust memorial

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama donned a Jewish skullcap at Israel’s Holocaust memorial on Wednesday and vowed to preserve America’s close ties with Israel in a dramatic visit to the Holy Land in which he also promised the Palestinians to push vigorously to win them a state.

Obama clearly was trying to allay fears on both sides on how he would tackle their stubborn conflict.

Many Israelis are concerned that Obama – a first-term U.S. senator with little foreign policy experience – would push Israel too hard in negotiations with the Palestinians.

His family’s Muslim roots have added to the unease, even though Obama is a Christian.

Most Palestinians doubt Obama or any other U.S. leader would reverse what they see as Washington’s bias toward Israel.