Pelosi hails US-Israeli ties before Knesset

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday hailed US-Israeli ties and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to its main ally in the region in an address before the Israeli parliament.

"There is an unshakeable bond between America and Israel," Pelosi, wearing a red suit, told lawmakers, adding that "America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable."

"Israeli democracy is one of the cornerstones of a more stable and democratic Middle East."

Washington's top Democrat said she would call for the release of three captured Israeli soldiers -- one by Gaza-based militants last June and two by Lebanon's Hezbollah a month later -- during her visit to Syria later this week.

"We must never rest until they are all safely at home," she said. "And I will mention this to the president of Syria."

Pelosi is due to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Tuesday during a visit that has raised the ire of the White House.

She will tell the Syrian leader that the Jewish state is ready to revive peace talks, frozen since 2000, if Damascus stops supporting "terrorists."

During talks between Pelosi and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem earlier Sunday, the speaker asked what she could tell Syrian officials following her visit to Israel.

"It should first of all stop supporting terrorism," Miri Eisin quoted Olmert as telling the speaker. "We will be happy to talk with it if it does so."

Pelosi said she was "concerned" that "some of the new Palestinian government, some of the people in the government, continue to remain committed to the destruction of Israel."

She was referring to the Islamist Hamas movement, the senior partner in a Palestinian coalition cabinet inaugurated two weeks ago, which has refused to renounce violence, recognise Israel and agree to abide by past peace deals.

But Pelosi urged Israelis to keep up dialogue with moderate Palestinians like president Mahmud Abbas.

"Talking with responsible Palestinian partners is a wise investment in Israel's future," she said.

She also pledged that on the heels of increased efforts by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to jumpstart stalled peace talks, Washington will stay engaged.

"The United States must have a sustained high-level engagement in the region to bring us closer to the day that we all long for -- when the entire Palestinian government is ready for peace."

Speaking about Israel's arch-foe Iran, Pelosi said the Islamic republic "must not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon."

"Iran is not just an Israeli problem, it's not just a problem for the region, Iran is a problem for the world."

Israel is itself widely considered the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear-armed power, while Iran denies it wants the bomb.