by Benny Elon
US President George W. Bush arrived in Israel today for a historic visit and I for one am very nervous. I am nervous not because I think he has any bad intentions but rather because I believe his Israeli counterparts do.
A couple of weeks ago, Israel was betrayed by one of our own in front of the whole world. On September 10, at a formal dinner hosted by America's Ambassador to Israel, Ha'aretz editor David Landau sold our country out to the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. In his fanatic rant, Landau called Israel a "failed state" and appealed to have the US "rape Israel', forcing her into submission by requiring a US- imposed settlement and humiliating us in front of the entire world.
I am appalled, disappointed and ashamed by the inexcusable comments that David Landau made to a member of a foreign government. I am also greatly distressed by the lack of public response to his words. Landau does not represent even a percentage of the public opinion in Israel and had his tirade been covered in the Hebrew media, the Israeli public surely would have protested.
Israel is not a failed state. ...   more »

US president predicts Mideast peace treaty will be completed by time he leaves office. 'I am confident that with proper help, the state of Palestine will emerge,' he says in joint press conference with Palestinian President Abbas in Ramallah; Abbas says visit historic, gives Palestinians 'great hope'
RAMALLAH - US President George W. Bush on Thursday predicted that a Mideast peace treaty would be completed by the time he leaves office. He said he was convinced that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders understand "the importance of democratic states living side by side" In peace.
"I am confident that with proper help, the state of Palestine will emerge," Bush told Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas. "And I'm confident when it emerges, it will be a major step toward peace. I am confident that the status quo is unacceptable, Mr. President, and we want to help you." 
Olmert to Bush:     
Abbas, standing alongside Bush, called on Israel to fulfill its commitments to a Mideast peace plan, and said he hoped "this will be the year for the creation of peace."  
"In order for there to be lasting peace, President Abbas
and Prime Minister Olmert have to come together and make tough ...   more »

danny ayalon
While US President George W. Bush's current visit to Israel and the Middle East is no doubt of historic consequence, for the people of Israel, it did not take his presence in Jerusalem to prove his overwhelming commitment to the welfare and security of the nation.
Actions such as his decision to meet with the city's mayor, which stand above the typical protocol of visiting heads of state, remind us that Bush is in fact the best friend of Israel ever to occupy the Oval Office.
Early on in his administration, he was widely accused of being ambivalent and hands-off in relating to the Arab-Israeli conflict, but his actions in this regard have proven both strategically sound and highly prudent. It is critical to remember that he entered office in the shadow of a Clinton presidency where the executive was very hands-on in promoting peace in the Middle East, yet whose best efforts never proved successful.
Bush understood that creating a lasting peace required that the intensity and scope of American involvement in the process could only follow serious commitment by the parties themselves.
This American president also knew that so long as Yasser Arafat was leading the ...   more »

In a letter handed to US president, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu warns him not to take action that would harm Jewish people. ‘The Jewish nation forever remembers those that inflict harm upon it’
Kobi Nahshoni
In a letter handed to US President George Bush Thursday, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu admonished the US president to avoid any course of action that would harm the Jewish nation.  
“The Jewish nation is eternal, and forever remembers those that have aided it throughout history, as well as those that have done it harm. Please let your name go down in history as a president who aided the Jewish nation, who worked alongside God and not against him,” wrote the rabbi. 
The Rabbi furthermore urged Bush in his letter to utilize his visit to strengthen and bolster the State of Israel.  
“You were granted the privilege of serving as US president. Make the best of the duties given you, and we will fulfill our task of remembering you as good and noble throughout the ages,” said the Rabbi.  
Rabbi Eliyahu began his letter with greetings for President Bush and praise for his efforts to bring peace to the region. With that, ...   more »