WASHINGTON (AP) -- Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman lashed out against Democratic front-runner Howard Dean on Sunday over the former Vermont governor's recent statement that the United States should not take sides in the Middle East conflict.

"It's hard to say if this is a well thought out position," Lieberman said. "If it is, it is a major break in a half a century of American foreign policy. If it's not (well thought out), as a candidate for president, you've really got to think before you talk."

Lieberman, an orthodox Jew who has traveled extensively to the Middle East as a senator, said Israel has long been a vital U.S. ally and that the two countries have a special relationship that "is as real and necessary and beneficial to both as it has ever been."

Dean's comments came last Wednesday when he was speaking to a crowd of people at a Santa Fe coffee shop. He said it is not America's place "to take sides" in the conflict. And he added that there are an "enormous number" of Israeli settlements that must go.

The Israeli settlements -- which stretch into the West Bank -- are a key point of contention that has hung up the roadmap for peace.

Responding to Lieberman's criticism, Dean spokeswoman Tricia Enright, said: "The United States will always maintain its commitment to Israel's long-term defense and security. But peace will only come to the region through negotiations between the parties facilitated by a president of the United States who is personally engaged in the process and willing to treat both sides fairly."

Jeremy Ben-Ami, Dean's policy director, said Dean believes "when you try to negotiate peace, you have to negotiate with both sides, you have to recognize legitimate claims on both sides."

Lieberman, a Connecticut senator, said the first thing that has to happen on the road to peace is the Palestinian leadership has to stop the terrorist attacks against Israel. Then the two sides, during peace talks, should decide the border and settlement issues.

"It's up to them," he said, when asked how many settlements should be relinquished by the Israelis. "But I think the number 'enormous' will be unsettling to a lot of people in Israel."

To those who question his foreign policy credentials, Dean has said he would not shy from going to war to protect America's interests but he said Saddam Hussein could have been contained in Iraq without force. Dean's opposition to the Iraq war helped ignite his campaign.