Houston Dems plan to counter DeLay's speech in Israel

Three Houston lawmakers' upcoming trip to Israel took on a new purpose Thursday as they sought ways to counter what they characterized as an overly militant speech by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Democratic Reps. Chris Bell, Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, who leave Saturday on a 10-day trip to the Middle East, said they plan to present a moderate, tempered message more attuned to the Bush administration effort to end hostilities in the region.

"It would appear that Mr. DeLay is engaging in his own brand of holy war rhetoric," Bell said, recounting DeLay's fiery speech in Jerusalem on Wednesday. "I really don't see any reason for an American government official to go to Israel and tout the apocalypse and need for more bloodshed."

In an emotional speech to Israeli political leaders, academics and students, DeLay said, "There is no middle ground, no moderate position worth taking" when it comes to fighting terrorist attacks on the Israeli people.

The Sugar Land Republican said taking a stand against such evils "costs money and blood." DeLay, a member of the Christian Zionist movement, assured Israelis that the United States "will never, ever leave your side."

Despite the tough talk, DeLay did not assert -- as he did a week ago -- that the time is not right for creation of a Palestinian state.