Virginia delegation is divided

With more than 350 people killed in Israel's deadliest attacks against Palestinians in decades, Virginia's congressional delegation is split on whether the bombardment of Gaza is justified.

Israel's air assault on the Hamas-controlled region started Saturday in response to rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israel. The Israeli government has vowed to widen the offensive "as needed" to deal the anti-Israel militant group a "serious blow."

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, the No. 2 House Republican and the only Jewish Republican in the House, called Israel's use of force "justifiable and understandable" to "ensure their security." He called on the U.S. and its allies to support Israel's actions.

"This period will be neither easy nor short and will require the determination and perseverance of the world community to stand with Israel to dismantle the terrorist group Hamas and punish nations who sponsor terror like Iran," Cantor said in a statement.

But Rep. James P. Moran, D-8th, said, "Peace will never be achieved through violence."

Moran said in a statement that, "The U.S. needs to re-engage in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to prevent further bloodshed and bring about a cease-fire."

The attacks on Hamas are unlikely to destroy it, Middle East analysts said.

Randolph Bell, president of the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond and a 31-year veteran of the foreign service, cited the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, which further emboldened the terrorist group Hezbollah. The current situation in Israel will demand attention from President-elect Barack Obama, he said.

Bell recommended that Obama appoint a special envoy to the region as President Bill Clinton did.

"If you don't set some special structure for it -- be it an envoy or someone in national security -- then you signal disinterest," Bell said.

Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the attacks give Obama a new opportunity to talk directly with Israel.

"We need to be in a position to have candid conversations about strategic actions in the Middle East," said Wittman, who recently returned from an eight-day trip to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Afghanistan.

Wittman called for the world community to "bring more political and diplomatic solutions" to the region.

Sen. Jim Webb and Sen.-elect Mark R. Warner, both Democrats, and Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican, were not available for comment, aides said.

The conflict in Israel sent crude-oil prices up $2.31 to $40.02 a barrel.

"Any time you see uncertainty like we see today, we see a price spike," said Mike O'Connor, president of the Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association.

Consumers are lucky, he said, that oil prices during this conflict already were down significantly from July, when a barrel of crude was going for $147.27.

A $10 increase in crude-oil prices usually translates to a 23-cent-per-gallon increase at the gas pump, O'Connor said, adding that the surest way to avoid volatile prices is to resolve international conflicts.

"Usually, it's something that goes away only after a resolution of an event becomes clear," O'Connor said.

Contact Neil H. Simon at (202) 662-7669 or .

The Associated Press contributed to this report.