SDEROT, Israel, 20 March 2008 — US Sen. John McCain yesterday said he understands Israel’s tough response to Palestinian rocket fire, adding that there is no point in negotiating with Hamas.
The likely Republican presidential nominee also praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas saying he is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel — though McCain is not meeting Palestinians this time.
McCain’s visit to Israel is part of a weeklong trip through the Middle East and Europe. After a day of meetings with Israeli leaders, he visited Sderot, the southern Israeli border town that has been the target of thousands of crude rockets in recent years.
“That is not a way for people to live,” McCain said. “No nation in the world can be attacked incessantly and have its population killed and intimidated without responding. That’s one of the first obligations of government, to provide security for its citizens.” Israel has been widely criticized for military operations aimed at stopping the rocket attacks, as well as its blockade of Gaza.
While billed as routine congressional business, the visit appeared to be aimed at burnishing McCain’s leadership credentials and courting Jewish voters for next fall’s election. Jews make up large voting blocs in several key swing states, including Florida and Michigan, and could help influence the outcome of the election.
Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said McCain has always been accessible to the Palestinians and is “committed to peace.” But he hinted that McCain’s decision not to visit the West Bank was more about US politics than the peace process. “Maybe one day Palestinians will have money for your campaigns in the United States,” he said.
McCain told reporters that because he was on a congressional fact-finding tour, it was not the time to discuss his campaign. Still, in an interview published in The Jerusalem Post, McCain said he would “personally be engaged” in peace talks if elected and “give it my highest priority.”
Speaking to reporters in Sderot, McCain gave strong indications that he would follow the policies of US President George W. Bush, who has promoted peace talks between Israel and Abbas, while working to isolate the Hamas government in Gaza.
McCain did not meet with Abbas during his two-day visit, but said he spoke to the Palestinian leader by telephone.
McCain said the Palestinian leader is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel, though he questioned whether a target of an agreement this year is realistic. “I hope that he can deliver. I think he is sincere,” McCain said. “I think the Palestinian people desire peace. I believe they deserve peace, and I think President Abbas is capable of conducting those negotiations.”
Discussing the US role, McCain said there has to be “an environment of reconciliation between parties,” but that “there also has to be an outside party that is willing to bring the parties to the table and facilitate that process.”
He said a peace agreement is a key US interest. Israel and the Palestinians launched peace talks at a US-hosted conference in Annapolis, Maryland, last November. The sides have made little visible progress.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned that even if a deal is reached this year, it cannot be carried out until Abbas regains control of Gaza.
A recent Israeli offensive killed more than 120 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, drawing heavy international criticism. Since ending the operation, there has been a relative lull, and Israeli defense officials have confirmed they are working through Egyptian mediators to reach a truce with Hamas.
