Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said US and Israeli leaders must be tried at the International Criminal Court so the world's collective conscience can rest in peace.

Israel is carrying out a holocaust in Gaza, Chavez added.

According to Prensa Latina, Chavez told reporters that the international community needs to take US President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to court for killing civilians.

The Venezuelan president denounced Washington and accused the US and some of its allies of hypocrisy for criticizing Hamas for defending the Palestinians suffering under the relentless Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Chavez said the United States wants to eliminate Hamas, "but not the Israeli prime minister. He is defending his people. How cynical!"

At least 660 people have been killed and 2,950 wounded during the current Israeli attack in Gaza.

ARQN/HGL