Bush Reassures Israel As Peace Deal Stalls

Speech Touting Unbreakable Bond With Israel Risks Alienating Palestinians

(CBS/AP)  Marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding, U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday criticized the deadly tactics of extremist groups and denounced anti-Semitism, especially by those who want to wipe the nation "off the map."

"We believe that religious liberty is fundamental to civilized society, so we condemn anti-Semitism in all forms whether by those who openly question Israel's right to exist, or by others who quietly excuse them," Mr. Bush said.

Meanwhile, Palestinians marked the 60th anniversary of their uprooting with rallies, sirens and black balloons- an annual ritual that turned even darker this year because of crippling internal divisions, diminishing independence hopes and the stark contrast to Israel's all-out birthday bash. Palestinians call it their "nakba," Arabic for catastrophe.

Mr. Bush's embrace of Israel at a time when the Palestinians were mourning was bound to further harm the tainted U.S. image in the Palestinian areas and across the Arab world.

Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri said Mr. Bush cannot be a peacemaker if he sides with Israel. "It is not a peace process. It is a process without peace," he told CBS News correspondent Robert Berger.

In a speech to the Knesset, or parliament, Mr. Bush asserted that the United States has an unbreakable bond with Israel. He said Americans believe that Israel has a right to defend itself from extremists and "killers pledged to its destruction."

"Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away," Mr. Bush said. "This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace and America utterly rejects it. Israel's population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you."

Mr. Bush's five-day Mideast journey, which was to take him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, represents another effort to push Mideast peace talks forward as his time in office winds down. Israel and the Palestinians hope to reach an agreement before Mr. Bush leaves office next January.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who spoke before Mr. Bush, said his nation is ready for peace and that he is working on the U.S. vision of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Olmert said he is committed to carrying out Mr. Bush's vision of forming an independent Palestinian state next to Israel. And when a deal is reached, Olmert says the divided parliament and Israeli public will rally behind it.

"When the day comes for a historic peace agreement between us and our Palestinian neighbors. It will be brought to the approval of this house," Olmert said. "I am convinced: a peace agreement that will reflect the vision you presented to the world in June 2002, and that will be based on two states for two people, a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace. This agreement will be approved in the Knesset by a large majority and will be supported by the vast majority of the Israeli public."

The chamber reacted with silence and nervous laughter, then Mr. Bush began to laugh. Two hardline lawmakers walked out of the chamber in protest. As Mr. Bush began speaking, three lawmakers held up pieces of papers with the message, "We shall overcome." Security guards approached them and led them from the chamber.

Mr. Bush began his address by exclaiming in Hebrew, "Yom Atzmaut Sameach," or "Happy Independence Day." He spoke of Israeli history and said that the United States will stand with the Israelis against terrorism and extremism. "We will never let down our guard or lose our resolve," he said.

Mr. Bush took special aim at Iran, saying the United States stands with Israel in opposing moves by Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons.

"Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations," the president said. "For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

Several months of negotiations have produced no tangible results, compounded by Olmert's growing weakness caused by a widening corruption probe. And opinion polls show support for U.S.-backed Palestinian leaders seeking a peace deal is plummeting.

The Palestinian economy remains stagnant, despite a massive injection of foreign aid, in part because of Israel's reluctance to ease its restrictions on movement and trade.

Meanwhile, the separation of Hamas-run Gaza and the Abbas-ruled West Bank is deepening. The rivals are not on speaking terms, and the two territories that were to make up the future state are cut off from one another by Israeli travel bans.

"The level of hopelessness is very strong," said Palestinian pollster Jamil Rabih, adding that a recent survey indicates that half the Palestinians don't expect to see a state established within the next 25 years.

"There is nothing on the horizon for us," he added.

[okcnfrcr]

Can I break in on this latest argument session and can someone tell me the size of external hard drive that I would need to store about 10,000 songs to.

[fmrdem]

Bush can say whatever the hell he pleases. He is President of the United States until January 20, 2008, when John McCain will relieve him.

[dmgenet]

What are Israel''s leadership thinking to themselves as he "reassures" them. Could it be printed here?

Quack goes the lame duck in his glass bunker.

[quetzalcrist]

earth56 ..jejejeej..
pende.jo...

[factsearcher]

The first country to recognize the new state of Israel was the USSR.

The land initially purchased by Jews immigrating to the area in the late 19th century was useless land which the new settlers turned into something.

The so called effort to force Arabs out of Palestine in the 30s was actually the result of the Grand Mufti of the Islamic population ordering his people to leave.

The ''Palestinian" camps are not to any appreciable extent supported by Arab Countries.

In 1990, Saddam was supported by the Palestinians due to his plan to settle the Palestinians in Kuwait. The palestinians were practically his only support.

[neoconrcrazy]

"a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace. This agreement will be approved in the Knesset by a large majority and will be supported by the vast majority of the Israeli public." oldmutt

"The chamber reacted with silence and nervous laughter, then Mr. Bush began to laugh"



need we say more....cynical or arrogant?

[tbweb]

Every politicians life has its hallmark! President Bush seems to have this penchant for speaking and acting on behalf of Americans whether he enjoys majority support or not. Speaking and acting on behalf of Americans with only a 28% job approval rating is perilous to say the least! President Bush seems oblivious to this fact and acts as if his approval rating exceeds 70%. President Bush may not govern by Polls but its political suicide to completely ignore Polls too! The reality is President Bush does not have the backing of the American people to make major policy decisions and Americans are patiently waiting for his time in office to expire without being forced to impeach him! The other "Reality Check".

[bm6005]

Bush, what a MAROON??

[dmgenet]

Lame words from a lame duck. Quack, sniggle, snort...

[quetzalcrist]

He went to go return the Giant U.S. Vaseline jar to the Ishrealies, so the next prez can use it.

[sharncedar]

The weirdness of Bush is that he can''t help telling the truth even while he tries to lie. Anyone else notice this?

"Permitting the world''s leading sponsor of terror to possess the world''s deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations," the president said.

Which of course is Israel, they are the world''s leading sponsor of terrorism this (defining terrorism as killing civilians for a political aim, they have the highest total this year far more than any other state). And he is exactly right that Israel''s nuclear weapons are destabilizing the whole region.


"Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away," Mr. Bush said.

Again, an exactly correct and logical statement from this weird, bizarre liar Bush. He can''t even lie well, or he has some strange compulsion to reveal his lies even as he speaks them. He is a genuine mental case, the most bizarre president ever.

[riddelup-2009]

How can one broker peace as a biased entity? Then to exhibit your bias in a highly public forum is just stupid.

[riddelup-2009]

How can one broker peace as a biased entity? Then to exhibit your bias in a highly public forum is just stupid.

[xalen54]

I may not support Bush, but at least he is a better choice than the other idiots in this country. We now have TV shows of ''Who is Smarter Than a 2nd Grader'' & the people on that show are failing? Our county needs a great big shot of dignity right in the ***! Most of it needs to go to students who think life is a joke, because I will tell you, I don''t want to see my classmates running the world in 20 years...

[noloyalisti]

Bushoccio is an absolute moron and an embarrassment to Americans who have sense of pride. He is wrong when he says 307 million Americans are behind Israel. Most of us in fact do not back extreme right wing governments that regularly perform state sponsored acts of terror (like Israel and the United States).

I love America but I certainly do not approve of bush, his neocon men cabinet, the actions of the military or our support for terrorist groups (like the Israeli military.

[bombadil4]

Numbnuts Dubya, accustomed throughout his life to getting all his whims--including becoming president--met, decided recently that he wants peace in the Mideast. Of course he did nothing for seven and a half
years but he will no doubt be very cross if he doesn''t get his way now. Perhaps daddy could help.

[j-whitman]

speakinup,,,, You didn''t Cut & Run did you ???? Looks like your pals have.

[j-whitman]

McCain''s wife cashed in on her investments with Sudan & made 2 million dollars -

- McCain''s own lobbyist who lobbied for the dictatorship in Burma lost his job after McCain rewarded him with the GOP National Convention.

Republicans Profit from dishonoring American values.

[j-whitman]

In GITMO --- Carges have been dropped against the 20th highjacker ---- Because he was Tortued

[j-whitman]

bluestardad,,,, He''s looking out for Ameica''s intrest & suggests that we should start War Crimes charges agaisnt Bush before a European country does.