Common Palestinians were "shocked" by the "religious rhetoric" in Bush's speech in which he extensively mentioned religious and historical connections between the Jewish people and the US while re-affirming his country's commitment to protect Israel from those threatening to eliminate it.

Speaking of the "promise of God" for a "homeland for the chosen people" in Israel,Bush told the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) after a visit to the Roman-era Jewish fortress that "Masada shall never fall again, and America will always stand with you."

The US president also predicted the defeat of Hamas, Hezbollah and al-Qaeda in a "battle of good and evil". Vowing to foil Iran's nuclear ambitions, Bush said that it would be an "unforgivable betrayal of future generations", a comment greeted with an standing ovation and prolonged clapping by Israeli lawmakers that stopped only after repeated requests from the chair.

Bush also described the "bonds of the Book", faith in the Bible shared by Christians like himself and Jews, as bolstering an "unbreakable" alliance between Israel and the United States.

During a visit later to the Israel Museum on Thursday evening, Bush, referring to the old biblical texts housed at the building, said: "these documents tell the story of a righteous God and his relationship with an ancient people."

"There is no doubt in my mind that the patriarchs of ancient Israel and the pioneers of modern Israel would marvel at the achievements of this nation," Bush said.

The Palestinians who were commemorating the Nakba (the day of the catastrophe), when they had to leave their land and property and flee 60 years ago, expressed shock at the repeated use of religious symbolism.

Islamist Hamas slammed Bush's words as those more suitable to "a priest or a rabbi" and said that the President had delivered a "slap in the face" to those Palestinians who placed their hopes in him.

"His religious rhetoric surprised me. I got the impression that the so-called leader of the free world is a religious bigot with deep seated hatred for the Muslims," said Mohammad, a resident of Ramallah. "How can we trust the US after Bush has shown his true colours. At least this time he did not leave anything to imagination and has said what he really feels," a Gaza taxi driver Abu Ali said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by people across the Palestinians territories with a young Fatah activist Hisham al-Khatib saying "it clearly demonstrates that Bush is a disinterested mediator in the conflict and where his loyalties lie. The Palestinian leaders should rethink about American mediation in resolving the conflict".