Bush vows support for peace talks
US president says Israel should remove wildcat outposts in the occupied West Bank.
Bush said: “Am I nudging them forward? Well, my trip was a pretty significant nudge because yesterday they had a meeting.”
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He said he would step in if and when his involvement is needed.
“You know me well enough to know I’ll be more than willing to provide it,” Bush said.
Peace groups estimate that there are currently more than 100 “wildcat outposts” in the West Bank – settlements that have not been approved by the Israeli government.
In return, Olmert said that “there will be no peace” unless attacks are halted from all parts of the Palestinian territories, including those not controlled by his negotiating partners in the Palestinian leadership.
But he said that both sides “are very seriously trying to move forward” on a deal.
Rocket question
Bush said he would press the Palestinians to commit to stopping violence against Israel.
“As to the rockets my first question is going to be to Abbas is what do you intend to do about them,” he said.
“There has to be a firm commitment by the Palestinian government to deal with extremists and terrorists who might be willing to use Palestinian territory to launch … into Israel.”
But on the ground, there was no let-up in violence.
US Air Force One touched down at Ben-Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv, bringing George Bush to Israel before flying by helicopter to West Jerusalem.
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Bush, left, is hugged by Peres as Olmert, right, |
It is the first visit by a sitting US president in nine years.
In welcome remarks on the tarmac, Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, quickly took the opportunity to warn Iran not to underestimate Israel‘s resolve to defend itself and thanked the US for its support.
Peres also called on Bush to help “stop the madness” of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.
Also greeting Bush was Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, who said the bond between Israel and the US is “unshakable”.
“Your policies have reflected a basic understanding of the challenges facing Israel in this troubled region and a solid commitment to our national security,” he said.
Gaza protests
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas leaders described the visit as US endorsement of the Israeli occupation while thousands of their supporters took to the streets on Wednesday in protest.
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Besides Israel, Bush will visit the Palestinian West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt after Egypt.
The Hamas-controlled territory is absent from the tour.
Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, told Al Jazeera: “All the time, the American administration provides all kinds of support to Israel by providing weapons and millions of dollars to support the Israeli occupation, the killings and arrests of the Palestinians as well as the destruction of the Palestinian democratic process.
Barhoum called on Bush to respect the Palestinian democratic process and end Washington’s interference.
“This line permits Israel to continue its settlement activities and its aggression against the Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
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“What has to happen in order for there to be a peaceful settlement of a long-standing dispute is … outlines of a state clearly defined.” |
“This is of some importance after seven years in power, in which he did too little for the peace process in the Middle East.
Bush’s challenge is to convince sceptical governments that he is willing to devote the time and effort necessary to bridge decades of differences in the region.