| Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, shakes hands with Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, upon his arrival in the West bank city of Ramallah, Wednesday, July 23, 2008. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants Barack Obama to take away one message from their meeting Wednesday if elected U.S. president, he should focus immediately on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or any gains made in peace talks could vanish. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill) |