Israel still a key to U.S. Jewish vote

Leaders of the U.S. Jewish community say support for Israel remains an important attribute for both Barack Obama and John McCain.

The Jewish vote in battleground states, including Florida and Pennsylvania, is being courted aggressively by both presidential campaigns, The Hartford Courant reported Sunday.

While the economy has become a strong issue, the candidates' stands on Israel continue to be an important factor in reaching the Jewish vote.

"Israel is a proxy for the Jewish community," said Menashe Shapiro of the National Jewish Democratic Council.

The Courant said that while the Jewish vote has gone largely to the Democrats ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt, polls have showed some wariness of Obama's commitment to supporting Israel.