Yet most right-wing Israelis reject his calls for political and territorial concessions amid the Mideast violence.

To express sorrow over children killed in the Mideast violence, children were brought to the rally.

The attention of the news media and much of the world remained riveted by the Mideast violence and the growing terrorist threat in Iraq.

But the escalation of Mideast violence appears to be having an impact here.

A1 The Mideast violence has confused and angered American Jews, and left many more doubtful than ever that Mr. Arafat and his people truly want peace.

Mr. Hecht, the school official, said the Mideast violence was wearing on young students still recovering from Sept. 11, and wearing on him, too.

But both condemned a United Nations resolution implicitly blaming Israel for the recent Mideast violence.

The limited athletic options for Palestinians have further contracted during the past four years of Mideast violence.

For Israelis, the case is alarming because Israeli Arabs, with rare exceptions, have not been involved in the Mideast violence.

President Bush urges end to Mideast violence; sends Colin Powell.