Bush calls actions in Gaza Strip 'troubling'

US President George W. Bush yesterday called renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip "troubling" but said Israel has "every right" to defend itself against Palestinian terrorism as he courted traditionally Democratic Jewish voters.

Mr Bush promised to press European leaders to do more to fight the spread of anti-Semitism, which he said "did not die in a Berlin bunker," and pressed the Palestinians to reject President Yasser Arafat and make other "bold" gestures to foster peace.

The speech, at a conference by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), was part of an election-year appeal by Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for support from Jews in swing states like Florida. The Jewish audience, which numbered 4,500, cheered on the Republican president by chanting: "Four more years; Four more years."

While White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the administration received assurances from Israel about the Gaza operation, a senior State Department official said "there is not sufficient care being taken to avoid damage to civilian homes."

"You should not be just wholesale knocking down houses of people who may be innocent," the official told reporters.

Mr Bush played down the impact of the Iraq prison abuse scandal on US troop morale, insisting "spirits are high," while attributing the growing violence - including Monday's killing of the head of Iraq's Governing Council - to "desperation by a hateful few."

The comments followed a major raid by Israeli forces in Gaza that killed at least 16 Palestinians. The assault on the Rafah refugee camp drew international condemnation because of threats to destroy hundreds of Palestinian homes in the occupied territory.

While Bush said Israel "has every right to defend itself from terror," the president added: "The unfolding violence in the Gaza Strip is troubling and underscores the need for all parties to seize every opportunity for peace."

Mr McClellan said Israel assured the Bush administration that its "operations are aimed at stopping smuggling of arms through tunnels and at preventing the distribution of those arms - not at destroying homes."

But Israel told Washington that some homes along the southern border with Gaza are being used by Palestinian snipers to fire on Israelis.

"The Israelis told us that they will make every effort to minimize the impact on Palestinians not involved in acts of terrorism or arms smuggling," Mr McClellan said.

"We want to see Israel exercise restraint to avoid harming innocent Palestinians or rendering them homeless," he added.

Jewish-Americans backed Democrat Al Gore over Bush by nearly 4-to-1 in the 2000 presidential election.

But a growing number of Jews are supporting pro-Israel Republicans, and the Bush campaign is counting on expanding its share in battleground states like Florida, where even a small number of votes can make the difference.

During yesterday's speech to AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby, Mr Bush renewed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and urged the Palestinians to take "bold steps of their own toward peace."

"First, the Palestinian people must reject corrupt and failed leaders, and insist on a leadership committed to reform and progress and peace," Mr Bush said in a clear reference to Mr Arafat, whom Washington has sought to sideline as an obstacle to peace.

"Second, they (the Palestinians) must renounce terror and violence that frustrate their aspirations and take so many innocent lives," Mr Bush added.

British protesters wearing black hoods like those worn by Iraqi victims of abuse by US soldiers demonstrated against former US President George Bush at a fundraising event for his son's re-election campaign yesterday.

Around 150 people picketed outside a London hotel where Bush senior was guest of honour at a dinner costing at least $1,000 to attend, raising funds for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney's November election bid.