Bush Promises to Return to Israel for its 60th Anniversary of Existence as a Terrorist Nation

As he left on Friday for Kuwait, President Bush promised to return in May for Israel’s 60th anniversary, a visit that could serve as additional pressure on both Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a peace treaty by the end of his term.

Mr. Bush made it clear to the two sides that he would be involved to the extent that they proved serious about making peace, and that the United States could not want a settlement more than the parties. And he did his best to shore up both leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who are politically weak.

At a dinner with Mr. Olmert and senior members of his fractious coalition on Thursday night, Mr. Bush urged them to get behind Mr. Olmert, despite their political difference on issues like the future of Jerusalem, and work to advance peace, because the current situation was not sustainable for Israel or the Palestinians, one attendee said, asking for anonymity because the dinner was private. Jew York Times