Bush Arrives To Israel Focusing On Iran, Terrorism

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency


Jerusalem, Israel ----- January 9, 2008 ....... Under a sunny, warm sea of waving Israel and American flags, US President George W. Bush arrived in Israel this morning. Bush was greeted by hundreds of smiles as he walked down Air Force One to take part in a historic ceremony with Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israel President Shimon Peres.

It has been ten years since a US President set foot on Israel soil. In 1998, Bill Clinton met with former Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Preparations for the Bush visit to Israel were extensive. But nothing was more apparent than an overwhelming blanket of security. It appeared that there were more men in blue uniforms and black suits than guests. And that was the security for which one could easily detect. From snipers and police on horseback to helicopters and electronic jamming one could not have been in a safer place.

Israel security personnel includes snipers, elite IDF units on foot and car patrol, bomb-sniffing dogs and bodyguards. Israel has even called up IDF reservists for the Bush visit. The security operation, dubbed "Clear Skies," is costing Israel $25,000 for every hour Bush is in the country.

White House staff, US State Department officials, Secret Service agents, technicians and US Marines joined Israel security personnel as Bush shook the hands of both religious and political VIPs who formed a reception line to meet him just yards from his blue and white plane and several US transport and combat helicopters. Security robots were positioned nearby to make sure there were no surprises above or underground.

The Ben-Gurion Airport ceremony for George Bush illustrated perfection. Not a step was missed. The IDF marching bands practiced almost till the last second. Dignitaries were shown to their places and over 200 journalists were provided with photo op positions and equipment to get their job done.


Photo: Joel Leyden



The American and Israel national anthems were played with tearful zest. From a public relations perspective both the Israel and US governments could not have performed better. The Israel Foreign Ministry, Israel Government Press Office, the Israel Defense Forces and White House protocol and PR staff have much to be proud of. It was nothing less than an open celebration of close and indivisible friendship between two democratic states fighting together on the front line against global Islamic terrorism.

Bush, spoke after opening remarks by Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres.

"We welcome you to Israel with the words of prophet Isaiah," Peres said with a smile.

"We greet you as a great friend - you towered at moments of need; you paved the road to peace. We embrace you as the leader of a great nation, which - once having secured its freedom - Never tired of providing it to others."

Peres wasted no time in illustrating how critical this visit was. "We take your advice to not underestimate the Iran threat. Iran should not underestimate our resolve for self defense. Your visit is on the eve of the sixth decade of our historic re-birth. We were attacked seven times. We never lost a war. We never lost desire for peace. We never postponed a moment of democracy," said Peres. "The United States supported us in war and peace. I can say wholeheartedly: “thank you Mr. President”.

Peres then alluded to the Bush speech of February 2002 when Bush stated: “My vision is of two states living side by side in peace and security”. Peres said that at that time it seemed very remote. "Now it is the basis for negotiations. "Peace can move forward on three tracks: political – creating a frame of two states, economic – raising the quality of life across borders and security – stopping the madness of Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas."

"On your way here you said that 2008 should be the path-way from words to action, from aspiration to reality. Indeed, the next twelve months will be a moment of truth. It must not yield just words. The days ahead are fateful. If time is not utilized for peace-making then destructive armament, belligerence, and terror will capture center stage. Wars are never too late, peace is never too early. We have no right to miss this opportunity."

Peres again quoted Isaiah: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brigeth good tiding, that publishes peace, that bringeth good tidings of food, that publisheth salvation."

"The next 12 months will be a moment of truth," Peres told Bush as they spoke under clear skies and a January chill. "It must not yield just words."

"Mr. President, welcome to the gates of Jerusalem," Peres concluded.

"You are our (Israel) strongest and most trusted ally in the battle against terrorism and fundamentalism and a staunch supporter of our quest for peace and stability," said Olmert. "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 added.

"I come as an optimistic person and a realistic person - realistic in my understanding that it's vital for the world to fight terrorists, to confront those who would murder the innocent to achieve political objectives," Bush responded. "I come with high hopes, and the role of the United States will be to foster a vision of peace. The role of the Israel leadership and the Palestinian leadership is going to do the hard work necessary to define a vision."

Bush continued: "We see a new opportunity for peace here in the Holy Land and for freedom across the region. Bush underscored the deep US - Israel ties. "The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state," Bush said.

President Bush appeared warm, friendly and a bit tired after traveling 12 hours across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. To this INA reporter, Bush appeared serious, more like one on a business trip facing a long and challenging agenda. But he also looked confident, knowing that no matter what it takes, he would get the job done. Bush's attitude was very Israeli - very tachlas, no nonsense, very bottom line.

Shortly before President Bush arrived in Israel to try to build momentum for stalled peace talks, Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip slammed southern Israel with rocket and mortar fire, striking a civilian home.


George Bush will hear how the Israel children of Sderot
are subject daily to Islamic terrorism from Gaza.

The Bush three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank does not include stops areas near or in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Islamic Hamas terrorists who are not a party to negotiations.

Israel police said 12 rocket were fired Wednesday, including seven that landed inside Israel.

One rocket hit the Israel home of Sderot resident Danny Dahan. Speaking from the hospital where he was treated for shock, he told IDF Army Radio that he had nearly been hit several times in recent years. In the latest attack, the rocket tore through the ceiling and landed directly on his baby's bed, he said.

Beyond the official visits to Jerusalem and Ramallah, cocktail receptions and closed door security meetings on Iran and Palestine terrorism, Bush is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Capernaum and Mt. of the Beatitudes.

One could only pray that Bush could also make the time to visit the children of the Israel Negev desert town of Sderot and reassure them, as he reassures Olmert, that Israel and the US will win the war on terrorism. That they will no longer have to cry, running for their lives into air raid shelters in the days, weeks and months ahead.

 

INA reporters Tom Weiss and Liora Ghinsberg contributed to the above report.




 

 

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