Obama's pro-Israel stance no surprise to Arabs

By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Barack Obama has convinced Arabs and Iranians he will put Israel's interests first if he becomes U.S. president, after a Middle East tour that ended on Thursday.

When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many in the region believe, Obama would display the same bias in favor of the Jewish state that they now expect from any White House occupant -- even one with a Muslim name and African roots.

"There will be minor changes if Obama is elected, but he will never side with the Palestinians against the Israelis. He knows he can't afford that," said Lana Bazzi, 20, a student in Beirut, citing the power of the Jewish lobby in America.

The Democratic senator flew to Germany after visits to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.

Obama told Israelis their nation was a "miracle" and vowed never to seek peace concessions that would harm its security.

Israelis may have qualms at losing George W. Bush, whom they see as the most pro-Israel U.S. president ever, but some queried Obama's enthusiasm to prove his loyalty to the Jewish state.

An editorial in the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper said Israel and the region needed diplomatic innovation.

"But it seems that Obama -- like his opponent John McCain and Bush before him -- is attempting to win the trust of potential Jewish voters at the expense of promoting the peace processes in the region," Haaretz said.  Continued...