The White House said today that Israel has the right to defend itself, after Israel decided to reoccupy autonomous Palestinian land in the wake of a suicide bombing that killed 19 people.
US President George W. Bush "understands that Israel is in the middle of recovering from a very serious attack. The president believes that Israel has a right to defend itself," said White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer.
Israel's decision came as President Bush put the finishing touches on a public statement he was expected to give this week laying out the best path to peace in the Middle East and an independent Palestinian state.
"The president hopes that whatever action Israel takes will be cognisant to the fact that the path to peace must still be pursued and Israel has to remember the consequences of its actions today for what happens tomorrow," said Mr Fleischer.
"But the president understands the right of Israel to self-defence, particularly in the wake of an attack of this severity," said the spokesman.
Israel said earlier it would reoccupy Palestinian self-rule territory until Palestinian attacks are halted.
"These areas will be held by Israel as long as terror continues. Additional acts of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas," Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon's office said.
AFP