Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has described Barack Obama's election win as "a source of inspiration to millions around the world", the Associated Press reported.
She made the comments while standing next to visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a joint press conference in the home of the American ambassador to Israel.
"I would of course like to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his historic victory, a man who has
impressed Israelis during his visits here and throughout the campaign by what he represents," she said. "I would like to also express our appreciation to Senator John McCain for his leadership and long-standing friendship."
Then she returned to the subject of Iran.
"We need to fight extremism," Livni said. "We need to continue the pressure on Iran and I believe that the idea of continuing the pressure comes with more intense and effective sanctions on the Iranians."