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Bush urges Israel, Palestinians to work harder
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 | Bush: 'A historic opportunity' for Mideast peace Jan. 9: President Bush says there is a “historic opportunity” for peace in the Middle East at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Watch the entire news conference. MSNBC |
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Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also said that Israeli construction in Palestinian-claimed east Jerusalem constitutes settlement activity and is opposed by the U.S. Rice’s comments, published in The Jerusalem Post daily, marked the U.S. administration’s strongest criticism yet of Israeli policies in disputed east Jerusalem. The Palestinians are expected to put settlements at the top of their agenda when they meet Bush on Thursday.
Said Olmert: “We must abide by our commitments and we shall do so.”
Bush also indicated a willingness to address Israel’s concerns with the Palestinians.
Upon arrival at the airport, he lent support to Israel on one of the core issues in the conflict. “The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel’s security as a Jewish state,” Bush said.
Bush has referred to Israel as Jewish state in the past but the reference — here in the region — had special significance. Palestinians oppose calling Israel a Jewish state, saying it rules out the right of Palestinian refugees to return to lost properties in Israel.
And in the news conference with Olmert, Bush said he would tell Abbas that his territory “cannot be a safe haven for terrorists.”
Israel has demanded that Palestinian forces do more to rein in militants in the West Bank. Since Olmert and Abbas last met, two Israelis were killed in the West Bank, and Israeli security forces say members of Abbas’ Fatah movement were responsible.
President, Abbas set to meet
Bush visits Abbas Thursday in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory. He will not stop in or near the Gaza Strip, the other Palestinian area, which is controlled by Islamic Hamas militants, who are not a party to negotiations. It was from Gaza that militants launched rockets Wednesday into southern Israel.
It is Bush’s first presidential visit to Israel. Unpopular at home, he was greeted here with smiles and warm handshakes.
Bush’s first formal meeting was with Israeli President Shimon Peres, at his official residence. He was welcomed by several dozen school children wearing white shirts and waving Israeli and U.S. flags. Bush and Peres waded into the crowd and slowly swayed to a disco medley of Israeli folk and peace songs.
Peres said the Annapolis conference started a one-year clock on the difficult Mideast peace process, underscoring Bush’s hopes — considered unrealistic by many in the Mideast and the United States — to conclude a deal before he leaves office. “Time is so precious,” Peres said.
“I also believe that the process may be slow, but the progress can be sweet,” he said.
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