Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., March 20, 2008 Adar2 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:39 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

U.S. presidential hopeful John McCain at the Western Wall on Wednesday. (AP) Last update - 20:40 19/03/2008 McCain in Sderot: Rocket attacks demand response By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and Agencies Tags: Israel, John McCain, Qassams  U.S. Senator John McCain, visting the Qassam-battered Negev town of Sderot on Wednesday, said he understood Israel's tough response to Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on its communities. "No nation in the world can be attacked incessantly ... without responding," he said. "The fact is that I come from a border state, and if people were rocketing my state, I think that the citizens from my state would advocate a very vigorous response," he added. Advertisement The Arizona senator and Republican presidential candidate made the remarks during a joint press conference with Defense Minister Ehud Barak following a tour of the town. McCain was also accompanied by fellow senator and supporter Joe Lieberman. McCain, whose visit to Israel comes as part of a fact-finding mission in the Middle East, expressed empathy for residents of Sderot. The town, situated close to the border with Gaza, has for years been a near-daily target of Palestinian rocket fire. Israel has responded to the attacks with frequent military raids in the strip. The senator thanked Barak and complimented him on his bravery in defending the State of Israel. McCain added that the constant rocket fire on Israeli towns underlines the desperate need for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. McCain also voiced doubts that a peace deal could be reached by the end of the year. "I am not sure whether it will succeed in that period of time," said McCain, referring to a U.S.-brokered peace process which Washington hopes will lead to a Palestinian statehood accord before George W. Bush leaves the White House in January. "But I do believe that the administration is making every possible effort to do so," he declared. When asked about possible negotiations with the Islamist group Hamas, who controls Gaza, McCain said that it would be difficult for Israel to negotiate with a group who openly declares its desire to destroy it, but the decision whether or not to attempt negotiations is Israel's. Earlier Wednesday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told McCain that Israel can halt rocket fire from Gaza without a major ground offensive in the densely-populated coastal strip. "It is possible to stop the Qassams without conquering Gaza," Olmert told McCain. "We will stop the Qassam fire by the creation of deterrence in the South which will make [Gaza militants] think twice before they shoot again," the prime minister continued. McCain agreed with Olmert that the situation in the South is intolerable. Answering a question by the presidential hopeful about what was going to happen in Gaza, the prime minister said: "I am skeptical about what appears like a temporary calm, and am doubtful about whether it will continue." "Israel will not be able to continue suffering Qassam fire and the fact that hundreds of thousands of its residents are living under daily missile fire. In the end, we will stop the Qassam fire," the prime minister said. Olmert also stressed in the meeting that alongside fighting the rocket attacks, Israel is continuing to build the momentum for a peace process with the moderate elements within the Palestinian Authority. Earlier Wednesday, McCain told Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that he believed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was committed to the peace process and opposed the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip. At a press conference with Livni, McCain said he had telephoned Abbas, who is based in the West Bank city of Ramallah just a few kilometres away, because he was unable to meet the Palestinian president in person. McCain said the Western-backed leader wants to move forward in peace talks. "I again believe that President Abbas wants to get this [peace] process started," McCain said in Jerusalem. McCain said he shared Israel's concern about the deterioration ofsecurity in the Gaza Strip and the cross-border rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled territory against Israel. "I believe that [Abbas] does not support the kind of activity that is taking place in Gaza. I know that the United States government is fully committed to trying to stop this ... cross-border violence," McCain said. A Palestinian official said on Wednesday that McCain told Abbas during their phone conversation that he was committed to a peace settlement after Bush leaves office. Livni hailed McCain's support for Israel during their early morning meeting. "I know we share the same understanding on the nature of the threats in the region," she said. I know where you stand on what needs to be done." McCain was visiting Israel with his Senate allies Democrat-turned-Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. The 71-year-old ex-aviator and Vietnam war POW has denied seeking to improve his electoral prospects on this tour, saying he came as a top member of the Senate Armed Services Committee rather than as Bush's potential successor. The presidential hopeful expressed concern on Tuesday about Iran's support for terror and its development of nuclear weapons. Before his arrival in Israel on Tuesday, McCain said he supports Israel's claim to Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state. He told reporters in Jordan: "I support Jerusalem as the capital of Israel." Later, speaking at a meeting with President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, McCain said he was concerned by Iran's negative influence on the region - namely, the fact that it trains, finances and otherwise assists radical groups - and that his concern had merely been heightened by his current tour of the region. Peres stressed that Iran is not Israel's problem only. "The combination of terror, nuclear capability and irresponsible leadership is a danger to the entire world," he said. "Even the region's Arab states fear Iran, and they need to say so out loud." McCain and Leiberman were accompanied by Senator Lindsey Graham. Israeli analysts believe that Lieberman, a former Democrat turned independent who was one of McCain's early backers, is a likely choice for secretary of state should McCain be the next president. Related articles: McCain to Peres: My concern over Iranian threat has increased Amir Oren: The best of all possible presidents McCain rep to Jewish crowd: the Christian right is 'serious problem' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Free interpretation Yesha rabbinical council ruled it is forbidden for Jews to employ Arabs. Little Africa Tel Aviv is setting up a tent city to improve the living conditions of African refugees.   1.   Islamic interest in the Temple Mount starts in 1967. 12:37  |  Jean Van Daem 19/03/08   2.   The spirit of Peace. 12:40  |  Jean Van Daem 19/03/08   3.   Courting the Jewish vote. A sure sign of desperation. 13:52  |  L A 19/03/08   4.   Well, this is worth at least one good laugh 13:52  |  Johnboy 19/03/08   5.   Don`t Expect Much from McCain 14:14  |  Mike 19/03/08   6.   #1 Jean Van Daem 14:28  |  Yonatan 19/03/08   7.   McCain Is Bad For Us 14:39  |  Moshe 19/03/08   8.   Why can`t Abbas speak for himself? 14:42  |  MichaelF 19/03/08   9.   So Why Does He Condemn Israel Every Time It Defends Itself 14:44  |  Ben S 19/03/08   10.   No. 8 Michael F 15:26  |  Steve 19/03/08   11.   McCAIN WILL RUIN US BUT ALSO ISRAEL 15:50  |  TripleJump 19/03/08   12.   "so why does he (McCain) condemn Israel" 15:52  |  Sam 19/03/08   13.   I have a bridge for sale, any takers? 16:31  |  Mark Anthony 19/03/08   14.   #9 Ben S - Upside down mirror 16:43  |  Israel 19/03/08   15.   to #12 16:44  |  Ben 19/03/08   16.   Yet another Right-wing warmonger for Israel... 16:57  |  peacelover 19/03/08   17.   stop Qassams without taking Gaza 17:05  |  Scott Havsy 19/03/08   18.   #7 moishe still in the wilderness seeks aburning bush 17:13  |  v ictor hardman 19/03/08   19.   Johnboy Route 443 17:35  |  Aby 19/03/08   20.   Meaningless 17:35  |  Dave Duncan 19/03/08   21.   McCain will drag Israel in 100 years of war 17:57  |  Pablo B 19/03/08   22.   Smoke is bad for your health 18:07  |  Gideon Reader 19/03/08   23.   Olmert you liar,what about the demolition of houses in the West 18:11  |  lakshmi 19/03/08   24.   to # 1, you are dreaming 18:21  |  proud palestinian 19/03/08   25.   Mc Cain,Jerusalem will never be israel`s capital& having that 18:23  |  lakshmi 19/03/08   26.   Just Another War Monger 18:29  |  Cool B 19/03/08   27.   Unlikely that McCain can win presidency 18:43  |  Voice of Reason 19/03/08   28.   Israelis have this peculiar notion.. 18:54  |  Natallie Durson 19/03/08   29.   Olmert in Wonderland 19:20  |  Fortuna Benmayor 19/03/08   30.   Islamic interest in the Temple Mount starts in 1967. 19:31  |  Morris Dancer 19/03/08   31.   He has my vote! 19:41  |  Ariel 19/03/08   32.   Olmerts response shows he lives in a fantasy world 19:48  |  Dish It Out 19/03/08   33.   Jewish money for McCain`s silence on genocide of Palestinians 19:53  |  Harold 19/03/08   34.   response to 17 Scott Havsy 19:57  |  Dish It Out 19/03/08   35.   Gaza 20:28  |  alan 19/03/08   36.   To Harold # 33 - The non-starter to the Road Map... 20:35  |  Dolly 19/03/08   37.   Mc Cain in Sderot 20:38  |  Zev 19/03/08   38.   McCain tells it like it is 21:10  |  IW 19/03/08   39.   retake Gaza? not needed. 21:11  |  joseph 19/03/08   40.   Harold...it isnt called genocide when you blow yourself up 21:24  |  SHIMON 19/03/08   41.   #4 Johnboy 21:39  |  HS 19/03/08   42.   Re #33 Jewish Money 21:39  |  Michael 19/03/08   43.   #8 Michael 21:49  |  rob 19/03/08   44.   johnnyboy,mcains limo dosen`t have bullet proof windows and 22:06  |  terrornator 19/03/08   45.   triplejump,george bush has already ruined us! 22:07  |  terrornator 19/03/08   46.   morris dancer # 30 yes,we have heard about the crusades and they 22:19  |  terrornator 19/03/08   47.   Olmert -we can stop , McCain-you can ? How? 22:28  |  Sal 19/03/08   48.   Dish It Out 22:38  |  TonyL 19/03/08   49.   WHY SACRIFICE JEWISH CHILDREN? RETAKE GAZA, W.BANK, END TERROR! 22:42  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 19/03/08   50.   Why Olmert should resign 23:12  |  geroge 19/03/08   51.   28 Natallie Durson is just jealous 23:51  |  leo 19/03/08   52.   33 Harold 23:55  |  leo 19/03/08   53.   If the US economy goes worse than this 00:12  |  Bobby 20/03/08   54.   # 39 Nothing can stop Hamas gaining 00:25  |  Bobby 20/03/08   55.   McCain: A proud to be slave of Israel 00:42  |  Javad 20/03/08   56.   Ms Livni. 00:46  |  Maureen Ann 20/03/08   57.   # 3 00:54  |  Jeff 20/03/08   58.   McCain is Lieberman`s puppet 01:05  |  Harold 20/03/08   59.   No Mac/Abbas kissing on CNN! 01:08  |  Aphemia 20/03/08   60.   mccain is disaster 03:55  |  george 20/03/08   61.   Everybody vote for McCain! 08:27  |  Stan 20/03/08   62.   Continued occupation and illegal settlements also demand response 14:31  |  John 20/03/08

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