SDEROT, Israel — Touring a war-battered town, Sen. John McCain said Wednesday that he understands Israel’s tough response to Palestinian rocket fire, adding that there is no point in negotiating with the Gaza Strip’s Hamas regime.
The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting also praised the moderate Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, saying he is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel — although McCain is not meeting with the Palestinians this time.
McCain’s visit to Israel is part of a week-long 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 Palestinian 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 the November election. Jews make up large voting blocs in key swing states, including Florida and Michigan, and they could help influence the outcome of the election.
Though McCain did not visit Palestinian areas, Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said the senator has always been accessible to the Palestinians and is “committed to peace.” But he suggested McCain’s visit was aimed more at attracting Jewish voters than promoting negotiations.
“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.”
Later Wednesday, McCain arrived in London for a first meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The two were to meet today for talks on Iraq, the world economy and climate change.
Speaking to reporters in Sderot, McCain gave strong indications that he would follow the policies of President Bush, who has promoted peace talks between Israel and Abbas, while working to isolate the Hamas government in Gaza.
Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from Abbas’ forces last June, and Abbas now rules from the West Bank.
McCain did speak to the Palestinian leader by phone. He said Abbas is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel, but 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.”
