News / Politics
President Bush Visits Israel for 60th Anniversary, Kicks Off Middle East Trip
U.S. President George Bush arrived in Israel on Wednesday as the country continues its celebrations tied to 60 years as an independent Jewish state.
Bush, accompanied by wife Laura Bush, were greeted at the airport by President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
In recognizing the 60th anniversary Bush noted “I suspect if you looked back 60 years ago and tried to guess where Israel would be at that time, it would be hard to be able to project such a prosperous, hopeful land.”
Bush also acknowledged Israel as the United States’ strongest ally in the Middle East and pledged continued support while also expressing hope that a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians could be reached.
Following his stop in Israel Bush will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah where he is expected to ask for increased oil production. Bush will then travel to Egypt where he will meet with President Hosni Mubarak. While in Egypt Bush will also meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Iraqi leaders.
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