US President Barack Obama has reiterated US support for Israel, saying there are "strong and enduring" ties between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Speaking at an annual memorial to the Holocaust at the Capitol, the US president admitted Thursday that Israel rose "from the destruction of the Holocaust."

"I believe history gives us cause for hope rather than despair -- the hope of a chosen people who have overcome oppression since the days of Exodus; of the nation of Israel rising from the destruction of the Holocaust; of the strong and enduring bonds between our nations," said Obama.

The United States has always thrown its weight behind Israel even during the 22-day Gaza war, vetoing anti-Israeli resolutions which called for an immediate halt of the offensive. The war killed 1350 and injured many other Palestinians including a large number of civilians.

Meanwhile, the US president urged all people to confront those "who insist the Holocaust never happened who perpetrate every form of intolerance -- racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism and more."

"We have an opportunity and an obligation to confront these scourges," he added.

The US and Israel have labeled Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a Holocaust denier while he has just questioned the extent of the holocaust which was used as a pretext to help create Israel among Muslim countries.

Ahmadinejad also argued that academics should be allowed to conduct research on the Holocaust.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King Live in September 2008, the Iranian president tried to make clear his views on the Holocaust.

When asked if the Holocaust did not happen from his point of view, Ahmadinejad said, "No, what I am saying is let more research be done."

"What we are saying is that an impartial group should be formed to conduct an independent study on the extent of the calamity," he explained.

AGB/DT