JERUSALEM, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said on Saturday the United States backed Israel's right to defend itself against rockets from Hamas-ruled Gaza and will not pressure the Jewish state to take steps that threaten its security.

"America's commitment to Israel's security is enduring and unshakable, as is Israel's right to protect itself always against terrorism, rocket attacks and other attacks from forces dedicated to Israel's destruction," Cheney told a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"The United States will never pressure Israel to take steps that threaten its security," Cheney added.

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