London, May 16: Barack Obama, who is on the verge of winning the Democratic nomination, has reacted swiftly after President George Bush assailed him for his professed willingness to engage in diplomacy with terrorists and tyrants.

Bush criticised Obama from the floor of Israel's Knesset on Thursday, and accused him of “foolish delusion” for his willingness to talk to tyrants. He compared it to the misguided Nazi appeasement of two generations ago.

Obama shot back at Bush, accusing him of distorting his position in his address to the Israeli Knesset.

“It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence to launch a false political attack,” The Independent quoted Obama, as saying.

“George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President's extraordinary politicisation of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel,” he added.

Meanwhile, the White House denied that Bush’s words were intended for Obama who has said that, as President, he will meet Iran’s leaders and those of other regimes on the United States blacklist. (ANI)