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Last update - 19:37 13/05/2008 Oscar winner Voight to Qassam victims: 'You're on the front line' By The Associated Press Tags: Jon Voight, Sderot  Award-winning American actor Jon Voight visited Israeli victims of Palestinian rocket attacks in Sderot on Tuesday, taking pictures with children and speaking out harshly against latest truce efforts to stop the rocket barrages and Israeli reprisals in Gaza. Voight described the southern Israeli town as a "war zone." Sderot is a frequent target of Palestinian rocket fire. "When I see these children, from my perspective they are traumatized children from a war zone," Voight said. "You are on the front line." Advertisement During his visit, he met the town's mayor and families affected by Palestinian rockets. Voight, who a best actor Academy Award in 1979, is also the estranged father of American actress Angelina Jolie. On Monday, Voight met families affected by Palestinian attacks in a Jerusalem restaurant. One man sat in a wheelchair, missing both his legs after a suicide bombing in Jerusalem in 2002. Another man still had his arm in a sling from an attack on the now-dismantled Israeli settlement bloc in the northern Gaza Strip. Voight, surrounded by photographers, knelt down next to children and sketched a picture of King David - a prominent Jewish biblical figure - next to a little boy. The young boy's father was killed in a suicide bombing on a bus in 2004. Voight said his experiences led him to believe that Israel should not negotiate with Palestinians militants for a truce. An Egyptian mediator was in Jerusalem on Monday to work on a truce proposal. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip frequently fire rockets toward nearby Israeli communities, prompting deadly army airstrikes and ground assaults into Gaza. On Monday, an elderly Israeli woman was killed after a Palestinian rocket fired from Gaza exploded in a village outside Gaza. "They are barbarians," Voight said, referring to the Gaza militants. "They are relentless, looking to destroy (Israel)," the actor said. "If somebody breaks your leg, don't give another. Don't play this game." Palestinians complain that Israel is responsible for much of the deprivation in poverty-stricken Gaza. Though it pulled out of the territory in 2005, Israel controls all but one of its border crossings. Since the Islamic militant Hamas overran Gaza last year, Israel has enforced a blockade, leading to severe shortages of vital supplies. After meeting the Israeli children, the actor failed to launch a bunch of colorful balloons tied to a bag that held prayers for peace. The weight of the bag kept the balloons skirting the ground. "God is down there, too," he joked. Voight was the guest of Chabad, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish outreach program that helps Israeli victims of militant attacks. "It's like a warm hug," said Ester Zigron, a 42-year-old woman whose husband was wounded in an attack and left partially blind and deaf. Related articles: Actor Jon Voight visits Israeli victims of Palestinian attacks during Jerusalem trip Bookmark to del.icio.us   Grass is greener For the cannabis-growing residents of Lebanon, recent fighting has been a blessing. Piggy bank savings Welfare Minister Herzog unveils a plan to open savings accounts for every Israeli child.   1.   He sure can act 19:37  |  Natallie Durson 13/05/08   2.   He is a lot smarter than our leaders! 19:37  |  Jewish State 13/05/08   3.   Thanks for moral support John. With all the hatred... 19:40  |  bat yam 13/05/08   4.   Jon Voight...this man sees through all of the BS shoved into 19:47  |  spade 13/05/08   5.   Amen Brother Jon!!! 20:04  |  Zvi 13/05/08   6.   Corrupt Israeli leaders hate this man saying "King is naked!" 20:13  |  Absolute Sweden 13/05/08   7.   query 01:03  |  potobac 15/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: We owe the Palestinians a state Responses: 301 Bush, in Jerusalem: Israel is our strongest friend, ally in Mideast Responses: 155 Plan to put synagogue in heart of Arab East Jerusalem likely to be approved Responses: 93 Clip shows IDF officer shooting protester with rubber bullet at close range Responses: 71 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is trying to change the world, for the good Responses: 37 Rosner's Domain Guest: "Jews need America as much as Israel" J Street does not represent American Jews (WTR) Interview with Bush: the transcript "Double-ness, lying and imposture have a special significance for an American Jew" Not winning the war on terror (WTR) More Headlines 01:00 Olmert: Israel is committed to stopping Gaza rocket attacks 01:08 Ashkelon residents fume over IDF deactivation of alert before strike 20:22 Gaza rocket hits Ashkelon mall; several people hurt 00:41 Bush: We must be firm in face of those who murder the innocent 00:34 IAF airstrikes in Gaza leave two militants dead, four wounded 21:32 Messer may be witness for the prosecution in Olmert probe 12:33 As fighting flares up, Lebanese cannabis growers expect a bumper crop 16:30 Palestinians clash with IDF troops during Nakba protests 16:54 Katsav's accuser requests face-to-face meet with ex-President 20:10 Haifa court orders five convicted rapists to pay victim NIS 1.2 million 19:27 Olmert to Bush: Israel intent on achieving peace deal this year 18:30 Kissinger at Peres conference: Timetable needed to combat global nuclear threat Previous Editions Select Day 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may

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