Bush's Israel stance prompts chants of 'four more years'

Bush's appearance before the group, known as Aipac, continued the White House's efforts to capitalize on his strong support for Israel to win over Jewish voters, who traditionally support Democrats by a large margin in presidential contests, in this year's election.

"The Israeli people have always had enemies at their borders and terrorists close at hand," Bush said.

"Again and again, Israel has defended itself with skill and heroism. And as a result of the courage of the Israeli people, Israel has earned the respect of the American people."

Bush alluded only in passing to the grievances of the Palestinians, and he only briefly mentioned the recent fighting in Gaza, where Israeli forces reportedly killed at least 19 Palestinians on Tuesday in one of the biggest military operations there in years.

"The unfolding violence in the Gaza Strip is troubling and underscores the need for all parties to seize every opportunity for peace," Bush said.

Bush drew parallels between the fight against terrorism being waged by the United States and Israel's battles with the Palestinians and their supporters.

As he has for the past two years, he cast himself not as an honest broker for peace but as an ally of Israel in pressuring the Palestinian people to reject the leadership of Yasser Arafat, abandon terrorism and embark on a path of political and economic reform.

"The United States is strongly committed, and I am strongly committed, to the security of Israel as a vibrant Jewish state," Bush said.

"Israel is a democracy and a friend, and has every right to defend itself from terror."

Without mentioning that Sharon is scrambling to win support within Israel for his plan to withdraw from Gaza and portions of the West Bank, Bush described the plan as "a bold, courageous step" that could help bring about the goal of two states living in peace.

Support for Israel and Sharon's government has become a central plank in the foreign policy advocated by conservative Christians, a development that has provided Israel with influential allies within the Republican leadership in Congress and forced Democrats to scramble to retain their hold on a big majority of Jewish voters.

Sen. John Kerry, the likely Democratic presidential candidate, has also sought to promote himself as an unyielding supporter of Israel.

In a speech in Washington this month, he said the security of Israel is "paramount."

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