Obama Visits Sderot, Meets Olmert, Abbas

Barack Obama waded into the thicket of Mideast politics today, siting down with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and visiting Sderot, an Israeli city near the Gaza border that's a frequent target of rocket attacks. If Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons, Obama said at a press conference, it would mark a "game-changing situation not only in the Middle East but around the world," he said. "America must always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself against those who threaten its people."

Obama held talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah. "Obama confirmed to President Abbas that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process," an aide said, adding that Obama told Abbas he would "not waste a minute" if elected. (More Israel stories.)