Obama pledges commitment to Israel, unity against Iran

President Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 6. Donna Bise via http://www.flickr.com/photos/demconvention

President Obama said the U.S. commitment to Israel's security "must not waver" and that the world must unite against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"Our commitment to Israel's security must not waver, and neither must our pursuit of peace" Obama said to cheers Thursday night, accepting the Democratic Party's nomination. "The Iranian government must face a world that stays united against its nuclear ambitions."

The party's convention here has been dogged this week by headlines reviving reports of tensions between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Democratic platform removed language recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and then restored it at Obama's behest.

Reports out of Israel suggest that its government is more exercised than ever by what it sees as Obama's refusal to make clear to Iran the consequences of not ending its suspected nuclear weapons program, including a possible military strike.