Former Israeli cabinet minister and respected international figure Natan Sharansky warned American Jews this week that voting for Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the upcoming presidential election would risk Israel's future.

Speaking on Shalom TV, a Jewish cable network that reaches 18 million American households, Sharansky avoided the rampant conspiracy theories regarding Obama, but did note that his lack of a positive record vis-a-vis Israel should raise concerns.

With Obama, said Sharansky, "nobody can know for sure what will be. It can happen to be good. It can happen to be very bad. It's a risk."

Also of concern is Obama's tendency to surround himself with advisors who are either hostile toward the Jewish state or advocate sacrificing Israeli interests for American interests.

By contrast, Sharansky said that Republican candidate John McCain, whom he has known personally for 20 years, has a long, strong record of support for Israel.