The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting also praised Mahmoud Abbas, saying the Palestinian Authority president is committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel, though McCain is not meeting with 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 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.

McCain's visit, while billed as routine congressional business, appeared to be aimed at burnishing his leadership credentials and courting Jewish voters for the fall election. Jews make up large voting blocs in several key swing states, including Florida and Michigan.

Although McCain did not visit Palestinian areas, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Arizona senator had always been accessible to the Palestinians and was "committed to peace." But he suggested that McCain's visit was aimed more at attracting Jewish voters than promoting peace negotiations.

"Maybe one day Palestinians will have money for your campaigns in the United States," he said.

McCain said 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 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 Gaza from Abbas' forces in June, and Abbas now rules from the West Bank.

McCain did not meet with Abbas during his two-day visit, but said he spoke to the Palestinian leader by phone. McCain said Abbas was committed to reaching a peace deal with Israel but questioned whether a target of a deal 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."

McCain also said a peace agreement was a key U.S. interest.