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Last update - 06:51 06/01/2009
Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks
By News Agencies
Tags: Hamas, Gaza, Israel News 

WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush said Monday that he understands Israel's desire to protect itself, offering his first public comments about the U.S. ally's massive ground invasion into Gaza.

Israel has moved tanks and troops into Gaza to target Hamas militants firing rockets at its southern communities. From the White House, Bush said Monday that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Gaza rulers Hamas.

The president said he is still hopeful there will be a cease-fire, calling it "a noble ambition." But, he said, no peace deal will work unless it forces Hamas to stop its attacks.
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Meamwhile, the White House said Monday that the United States wants a cease-fire as soon as possible but insists that it be durable.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, while backing Israel's Gaza offensive as the state's right to defend itself, urged it to be "very cautious when it comes to civilian casualties."

"We want it to be kept to a minimum," she told reporters.

Asked how quickly the United States wants to see a cease-fire in place, she said, "We would like it as soon as possible but it has to be something that is durable."

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      1.   Bush call for durable peace but no cease fire 19:33  |  KenB 05/01/09
      2.   Land for Rockets 19:33  |  Marcel 05/01/09
      3.   Proportionate force is a term dreamed up by the UN 20:18  |  Kipperraes 05/01/09
      4.   Son of a Bush 20:35  |  Baz Mann 05/01/09
      5.   Boycott Israel & the occupation 20:52  |  peaceful 05/01/09
      6.   Beware the fury of a patient man... 23:33  |  Vladimir Hazera 05/01/09
      7.   agreement against proportionate force 01:41  |  D 06/01/09
      8.   This is absurd 01:45  |  D 06/01/09
      9.   Bush is GOD 06:57  |  Sal 06/01/09
      10.   Gazans will not turn away from Hamas because IDF avoids civilian 07:06  |  Joseph.E 06/01/09
      11.   #8 hhmmmmmm, you appear to invert cause-and-effect, D 07:12  |  Johnboy 06/01/09
      12.   Bush dragging down Israel as he exits 07:42  |  Pablo B 06/01/09
      13.   Johnboy from Australia-----the voice of reason 07:48  |  Barb 06/01/09
      14.   and this is the guy who created GUANTANAMO PRISON 20:28  |  obzerver 06/01/09
      15.   Bush kept promises when he was the president 19:14  |  Maria 06/03/09
      16.   It`s because of boycott , our econony went crazy! 19:23  |  Maria 06/03/09
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