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Bush hails Israel's chosen people as Arabs lament By Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria MAY 15,08
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - President George W. Bush told Israelis on Thursday they were a chosen people who can forever count on American support against enemies like Hamas and Iran. On a day when Palestinians remembered homes and land lost as Israel was created in 1948, Bush made only fleeting reference to their aspirations for a state of their own in a speech marking Israel's 60th anniversary that was laced with references to God.Basking in ovations on the second day of a farewell visit to a country where his presidency is hailed as a golden age, Bush again said little of the talks he has sponsored in recent months between Israel and the Palestinians, which he hopes can bring a deal on a Palestinian state before he leaves office in January.Speaking of the promise of God for a homeland for the chosen people in Israel, Bush told the Israeli parliament after a visit to the Roman-era Jewish fortress at Masada: Masada shall never fall again, and America will always stand with you.He predicted the defeat of Islamist enemies Hamas, Hezbollah and al Qaeda in a battle of good and evil.Letting Iran have nuclear weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations, he said. By comparing talking with such foes to appeasement of Hitler, he sparked a debate at home among those campaigning to succeed him as president.
Bush described the bonds of the Book -- faith in the Bible shared by Christians like himself and Jews -- as bolstering an unbreakable alliance between Israel and the United States.Of the Palestinians, half of whom were pushed into exile to make way for the Jewish state, Bush said that, looking ahead another 60 years in the future, the Palestinian people will have the homeland they have long dreamed of and deserved.
SLAP IN THE FACE
The president's language in Israel has dismayed Palestinians looking for the U.S. superpower to mediate in their negotiations with Israel. Islamist Hamas, which spurns such talks, said Bush sounded like a priest or a rabbi and had delivered a slap in the face to those Palestinians who placed their hopes in him.Bush said: Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away ... America utterly rejects it.In scattered protests marking the anniversary of Israel's first day of statehood on May 15, 1948, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip threw rocks towards Israeli police and troops, who fired tear gas and bullets in the air.In a speech marking what Palestinians call the Nakba, or catastrophe, when some 700,000 Arabs fled or were forced from their homes during Israel's foundation, President Mahmoud Abbas said: Isn't it time for Israel to respond to the call of a just and comprehensive peace and achieve historic reconciliation between the two peoples on this sacred and tortured land? But Palestinian political analyst Ali Jarbawi said Bush's rhetoric showed Washington was not being an honest broker: He is not talking about a two-state solution. He is talking about a state of leftovers for the Palestinians, Jarbawi said.
Arabs are especially sensitive to what they see as amnesia, or worse, among Israelis and foreigners about how many of them were forced into exile in 1948. By saying Jewish refugees arrived here in the desert, Bush may have done little to persuade many Palestinians their own refugees are not forgotten.Amid the standing ovations that have followed him since he arrived in Israel on Wednesday, there was some discord.Three Arab members of Israel's parliament held up a sign reading We shall overcome and were escorted out of the Knesset chamber as Bush began to speak.
HOPEFUL ON DEAL
Asked about Bush's speech, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president was hopeful a deal could be struck by the time he leaves office. In Ramallah in the West Bank, pedestrians stood at attention as sirens wailed for two minutes to remember the Nakba.
Calling Bush the leader of evil in the world, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the group would never grow weak. At Masada, a cable car carried Bush high above the Dead Sea to the plateau where, according to a Roman-era historian, 960 Jewish men, women and children committed suicide rather than surrender to Roman legions crushing a rebellion. There have been few signs of progress in U.S.-brokered negotiations since promises were made at a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in November. In the latest setback to a deal, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he will quit if indicted in a police corruption probe. The split between Abbas and Hamas and fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have also hampered peace efforts. On Friday, Bush and his wife Laura will wind up their visit to Jerusalem and fly on to Saudi Arabia before weekend talks in Egypt with Abbas and other Arab leaders. (Additional reporting by Jeffrey Heller and Brenda Gazzar in Jerusalem, Mohammed Assadi and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Haitham Tamimi in Hebron and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza, writing by Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Elizabeth Piper)
White House Notebook: Bush a bit wary of drinking the water By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer MAY 15,08
JERUSALEM - On a sun-baked tour Thursday of an ancient Israeli fortress overlooking the Dead Sea, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert took a sip of water from a silver cup, then handed it to President Bush. Bush looked into the cup, then quickly set it down. He wasn't sure he should wet his lips with water from an unknown source.Where's the doctor? Bush asked and then chuckled.Not wanting to offend his Israeli host, Bush gave Olmert a big hug for the cameras.Later, their tour guide at Masada explained that the water wasn't meant for drinking anyway.The guide told them to pour the water on a model of Masada's massive system of dams, channels and cisterns that could hold 40,000 cubic meters of water. When they poured it on the model, they could watch as it flowed through the system.Oh, that's what the water was for.Photo-op success!
Finding an agreement to end hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians is a serious diplomatic challenge. But it doesn't hurt to lighten up sometimes.In a speech to the Israeli parliament, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he was committed to carrying out Bush's vision of forming an independent Palestinian state next to Israel.When a deal is reached, Olmert predicted that 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 told the Knesset. This agreement will be approved in the Knesset by a large majority and will be supported by the vast majority of the Israeli public.Instead of applause, there was a wall of silence.
Bush began laughing, and Olmert tried to crack a joke, saying Bush probably never expected the parliament to be that quiet.Olmert repeated his prediction that the Knesset and nation will overwhelmingly support a peace agreement.Lawmakers in the chamber responded with lukewarm applause, but then a heckler shouted, You'll never get to that moment! Two hardline religious lawmakers stood up and walked out.The mood turned considerably more favorable when Bush — who has mocked himself for mangling English now and then — spoke in Hebrew. Yom Atzmaut Sameach, the president exclaimed at the start of his speech honoring Israel's 60th anniversary. That means Happy Independence Day. By speaking the language, and doing it well, Bush got an enormous round of applause. It lasted about 50 seconds, not the kind of treatment Bush is used to at home. Finally, the parliament speaker, Dalia Itzik, had to step in. She asked everyone, including spectators in the gallery, to clap in moderation. A day before, Bush had joked that he'd heard the Knesset was a place of many a sharp elbow. He said he didn't plan to throw any of his own. He didn't. It's not like this was his favorite target, the U.S. Congress. It is a rare privilege for an American president to address the Knesset, he said. Associated Press Writer Josef Federman contributed to this story.
Text of President Bush's speech to the Israeli parliament
MAY 15,08
JERUSALEM - Text of President Bush's speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, as provided by the White House.
President Peres and Mr. Prime Minister, Madam Speaker, thanks very much for hosting this special session. President Beinish, Leader of the Opposition Netanyahu, Ministers, members of the Knesset, distinguished guests: Shalom.
Laura and I are thrilled to be back in Israel. We have been deeply moved by the celebrations of the past two days. And this afternoon, I am honored to stand before one of the world's great democratic assemblies and convey the wishes of the American people with these words: Yom Ha'atzmaut Sameach.
It is a rare privilege for the American president to speak to the Knesset, although the prime minister told me there is something even rarer — to have just one person in this chamber speaking at a time. My only regret is that one of Israel's greatest leaders is not here to share this moment. He is a warrior for the ages, a man of peace, a friend. The prayers of the American people are with Ariel Sharon.
We gather to mark a momentous occasion. Sixty years ago in Tel Aviv, David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel's independence, founded on the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their own fate. What followed was more than the establishment of a new country. It was the redemption of an ancient promise given to Abraham and Moses and David — a homeland for the chosen people Eretz Yisrael.
Eleven minutes later, on the orders of President Harry Truman, the United States was proud to be the first nation to recognize Israel's independence. And on this landmark anniversary, America is proud to be Israel's closest ally and best friend in the world.
The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty. It is grounded in the shared spirit of our people, the bonds of the Book, the ties of the soul. When William Bradford stepped off the Mayflower in 1620, he quoted the words of Jeremiah: Come let us declare in Zion the word of God. The founders of my country saw a new promised land and bestowed upon their towns names like Bethlehem and New Canaan. And in time, many Americans became passionate advocates for a Jewish state.
Centuries of suffering and sacrifice would pass before the dream was fulfilled. The Jewish people endured the agony of the pogroms, the tragedy of the Great War, and the horror of the Holocaust — what Elie Wiesel called the kingdom of the night. Soulless men took away lives and broke apart families. Yet they could not take away the spirit of the Jewish people, and they could not break the promise of God.
When news of Israel's freedom finally arrived, Golda Meir, a fearless woman raised in Wisconsin, could summon only tears. She later said: For two thousand years we have waited for our deliverance. Now that it is here it is so great and wonderful that it surpasses human words.
The joy of independence was tempered by the outbreak of battle, a struggle that has continued for six decades. Yet in spite of the violence, in defiance of the threats, Israel has built a thriving democracy in the heart of the Holy Land. You have welcomed immigrants from the four corners of the Earth. You have forged a free and modern society based on the love of liberty, a passion for justice, and a respect for human dignity. You have worked tirelessly for peace. You have fought valiantly for freedom.
My country's admiration for Israel does not end there. When Americans look at Israel, we see a pioneer spirit that worked an agricultural miracle and now leads a high-tech revolution. We see world-class universities and a global leader in business and innovation and the arts. We see a resource more valuable than oil or gold: the talent and determination of a free people who refuse to let any obstacle stand in the way of their destiny.
I have been fortunate to see the character of Israel up close. I have touched the Western Wall, seen the sun reflected in the Sea of Galilee, I have prayed at Yad Vashem. And earlier today, I visited Masada, an inspiring monument to courage and sacrifice. At this historic site, Israeli soldiers swear an oath: Masada shall never fall again.
Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will be at your side.
This anniversary is a time to reflect on the past. It's also an opportunity to look to the future. As we go forward, our alliance will be guided by clear principles — shared convictions rooted in moral clarity and unswayed by popularity polls or the shifting opinions of international elites.
We believe in the matchless value of every man, woman and child. So we insist that the people of Israel have the right to a decent, normal and peaceful life, just like the citizens of every other nation.
We believe that democracy is the only way to ensure human rights. So we consider it a source of shame that the United Nations routinely passes more human rights resolutions against the freest democracy in the Middle East than any other nation in the world.
We believe that religious liberty is fundamental to a 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.
We believe that free people should strive and sacrifice for peace. So we applaud the courageous choices Israeli's leaders have made. We also believe that nations have a right to defend themselves and that no nation should ever be forced to negotiate with killers pledged to its destruction.
We believe that targeting innocent lives to achieve political objectives is always and everywhere wrong. So we stand together against terror and extremism, and we will never let down our guard or lose our resolve.
The fight against terror and extremism is the defining challenge of our time. It is more than a clash of arms. It is a clash of visions, a great ideological struggle. On the one side are those who defend the ideals of justice and dignity with the power of reason and truth. On the other side are those who pursue a narrow vision of cruelty and control by committing murder, inciting fear, and spreading lies.
This struggle is waged with the technology of the 21st century, but at its core it is an ancient battle between good and evil. The killers claim the mantle of Islam, but they are not religious men. No one who prays to the God of Abraham could strap a suicide vest to an innocent child, or blow up guiltless guests at a Passover Seder, or fly planes into office buildings filled with unsuspecting workers. In truth, the men who carry out these savage acts serve no higher goal than their own desire for power. They accept no God before themselves. And they reserve a special hatred for the most ardent defenders of liberty, including Americans and Israelis.
And that is why the founding charter of Hamas calls for the elimination of Israel. And that is why the followers of Hezbollah chant Death to Israel, Death to America! That is why Osama bin Laden teaches that the killing of Jews and Americans is one of the biggest duties. And that is why the president of Iran dreams of returning the Middle East to the Middle Ages and calls for Israel to be wiped off the map.
There are good and decent people who cannot fathom the darkness in these men and try to explain away their words. It's natural, but it is deadly wrong. As witnesses to evil in the past, we carry a solemn responsibility to take these words seriously. Jews and Americans have seen the consequences of disregarding the words of leaders who espouse hatred. And that is a mistake the world must not repeat in the 21st century.
Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided. We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.
Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. 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.
America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Ultimately, to prevail in this struggle, we must offer an alternative to the ideology of the extremists by extending our vision of justice and tolerance and freedom and hope. These values are the self-evident right of all people, of all religions, in all the world because they are a gift from the Almighty God. Securing these rights is also the surest way to secure peace. Leaders who are accountable to their people will not pursue endless confrontation and bloodshed. Young people with a place in their society and a voice in their future are less likely to search for meaning in radicalism. Societies where citizens can express their conscience and worship their God will not export violence, they will be partners in peace.
The fundamental insight, that freedom yields peace, is the great lesson of the 20th century. Now our task is to apply it to the 21st. Nowhere is this work more urgent than here in the Middle East. We must stand with the reformers working to break the old patterns of tyranny and despair. We must give voice to millions of ordinary people who dream of a better life in a free society. We must confront the moral relativism that views all forms of government as equally acceptable and thereby consigns whole societies to slavery. Above all, we must have faith in our values and ourselves and confidently pursue the expansion of liberty as the path to a peaceful future.
That future will be a dramatic departure from the Middle East of today. So as we mark 60 years from Israel's founding, let us try to envision the region 60 years from now. This vision is not going to arrive easily or overnight; it will encounter violent resistance. But if we and future presidents and future Knessets maintain our resolve and have faith in our ideals, here is the Middle East that we can see:
Israel will be celebrating the 120th anniversary as one of the world's great democracies, a secure and flourishing homeland for the Jewish people. The Palestinian people will have the homeland they have long dreamed of and deserved — a democratic state that is governed by law, and respects human rights, and rejects terror. From Cairo to Riyadh to Baghdad and Beirut, people will live in free and independent societies, where a desire for peace is reinforced by ties of diplomacy and tourism and trade. Iran and Syria will be peaceful nations, with today's oppression a distant memory and where people are free to speak their minds and develop their God-given talents. Al-Qaida and Hezbollah and Hamas will be defeated, as Muslims across the region recognize the emptiness of the terrorists' vision and the injustice of their cause.
Overall, the Middle East will be characterized by a new period of tolerance and integration. And this doesn't mean that Israel and its neighbors will be best of friends. But when leaders across the region answer to their people, they will focus their energies on schools and jobs, not on rocket attacks and suicide bombings. With this change, Israel will open a new hopeful chapter in which its people can live a normal life, and the dream of Herzl and the founders of 1948 can be fully and finally realized.
This is a bold vision, and some will say it can never be achieved. But think about what we have witnessed in our own time. When Europe was destroying itself through total war and genocide, it was difficult to envision a continent that six decades later would be free and at peace. When Japanese pilots were flying suicide missions into American battleships, it seemed impossible that six decades later Japan would be a democracy, a lynchpin of security in Asia, and one of America's closest friends. And when waves of refugees arrived here in the desert with nothing, surrounded by hostile armies, it was almost unimaginable that Israel would grow into one of the freest and most successful nations on the earth.
Yet each one of these transformations took place. And a future of transformation is possible in the Middle East, so long as a new generation of leaders has the courage to defeat the enemies of freedom, to make the hard choices necessary for peace, and stand firm on the solid rock of universal values.
Sixty years ago, on the eve of Israel's independence, the last British soldiers departing Jerusalem stopped at a building in the Jewish quarter of the Old City. An officer knocked on the door and met a senior rabbi. The officer presented him with a short iron bar — the key to the Zion Gate — and said it was the first time in 18 centuries that a key to the gates of Jerusalem had belonged to a Jew. His hands trembling, the rabbi offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God, Who had granted us life and permitted us to reach this day. Then he turned to the officer, and uttered the words Jews had awaited for so long: I accept this key in the name of my people.
Over the past six decades, the Jewish people have established a state that would make that humble rabbi proud. You have raised a modern society in the Promised Land, a light unto the nations that preserves the legacy of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. And you have built a mighty democracy that will endure forever and can always count on the United States of America to be at your side. God bless.
Bush presents peace prophecy for Middle East By Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria Thu May 15, 9:29 AM ET
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush offered a peace prophecy for the Middle East on Thursday in which the enemies of the United States faced a future of defeat. This is a bold vision, and some will say it can never be achieved, Bush told Israel's parliament.He called U.S. ally Israel, on its 60th anniversary, a homeland for the chosen people and made only fleeting mention of Palestinian hopes for statehood.Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away, Bush said.This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of enemies of peace and America utterly rejects it.The president is on a Middle East visit that will also take him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt and he said Washington stood by Israel in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions.Letting Iran acquire atomic arms, Bush said, would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity.
Bush's gaze into the future was preceded by a helicopter flight to the biblical past for a tour of the Roman-era desert fortress of Masada, a symbol in Israel of Jewish fighting spirit and self-sacrifice in the face of powerful foes.So as we mark 60 years from Israel's founding, let us try to envision the region 60 years from now, said Bush, whose popularity at home has been hurt by an unpopular war in Iraq.Israel will be celebrating its 120th anniversary as one of the world's greatest democracies, he said, and the Palestinian people will have a homeland, a democratic state that is governed by law, respects human rights and rejects terror.
Bush said that from Cairo to Riyadh to Baghdad and Beirut, people will live in free and independent societies. Iran and Syria will be peaceful nations, where today's oppression is a distant memory.Al Qaeda, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will be defeated, as Muslims across the region recognize the emptiness of the terrorists' vision, Bush predicted.
ARAB PROTEST
Three Arab legislators held up a sign reading We shall overcome and were escorted out of the Knesset chamber as Bush began to speak. Bush did not repeat his oft-spoken hope of sealing an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal before he leaves the White House in January, a target date that has aroused public skepticism.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who also addressed parliament, said he was certain a peace agreement will be approved in the Knesset by a large majority and will be supported by the vast majority of the Israeli public.Asked about Bush's speech, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president remained hopeful a deal could be struck by the time he leaves office.In Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, pedestrians stood at attention for two minutes to remember the Nakba, or catastrophe, when 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced to leave homes in the fighting around Israel's creation in 1948. A mournful siren sounded and black balloons were released into the air. Calling Bush the leader of evil in the world, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the group would never grow weak.
At Masada, a cable car carried Bush up the towering plateau where 960 Jewish men, women and children committed suicide rather than surrender to Roman legions crushing a rebellion in ancient Judea, in an act chronicled by a 1st-century historian. Bush, on a three-day visit to celebrate Israel's founding, and Olmert viewed ruins including a water collection system that sustained besieged Jewish zealots at the sanctuary. At this historic site, Israeli soldiers swear an oath: Masada shall never fall again. Citizens of Israel: Masada shall never fall again, and America will be at your side, Bush later told the Knesset, to a standing ovation. In a television address, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: There are two peoples living on this beloved land -- one celebrates independence and the other feels pain of the memory of its Nakba. It's time to end the Nakba of the Palestinian people.There have been few signs of progress in U.S.-brokered negotiations since promises were made at a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in November. In the latest setback to a deal with Abbas, Olmert has been urged to resign over suspicions he took bribes from a U.S. businessman. Olmert has denied wrongdoing but pledged to quit if indicted.
Violence around the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has also hampered peace efforts. (Writing by Jeffrey Heller, editing by Robert Woodward)
Israel claims Hamas will have 40-km rockets in two years Thu May 15, 4:40 AM ET
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's military intelligence chief said in remarks published on Thursday that the Islamist movement Hamas will have rockets in Gaza with a 40-kilometre (25-mile) range within two years. All localities situated in a region of 40 kilometres from Gaza would be in the range of Hamas rockets, General Amos Yadlin said in in an interview with the Haaretz newspaper.Such rockets could reach Israel's fourth largest city of Beersheva.Hamas already has several hundred rockets with a range of 20 kilometres, Yadlin added. If this problem is not addressed other cities are going to find themselves within range of Hamas firings.Yadlin said Hamas was preparing defensive positions in anticipation of a possible Israeli ground assault in the Gaza Strip, which has been controlled by the Islamist movement since June.His comments were published a day after a rocket fired by Gaza militants hit a shopping mall in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon that wounded 14 people.The Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees and the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for the attack.
Israel warns of Gaza assault after rocket attack by Jean-Luc Renaudie MAY 15,08
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel warned on Thursday that its forces were prepared to launch a major military assault on Gaza after a rocket attack wounded at least 14 people while US President George W. Bush was in Israel. The Israeli army has never been this ready to launch a large-scale operation in Gaza, said Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, a member of Israel's security cabinet.It may be that we have no choice but to destroy all the nests of terror. Apparently we'll have no choice, he told public radio.Hamas, the Islamist group that runs the impoverished territory, is preparing defensive positions in anticipation of a possible military incursion, Israeli's military intelligence chief, Major General Amos Yadlin, told the Haaretz newspaper.Bush, on a five-day trip in the Middle East, told Israel it could rely on continued US backing.
America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary, Bush said in remarks prepared for delivery to Israel's parliament.Israel's population may be just over seven million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you.Two small Palestinian militant groups claimed responsibility for Wednesday's rocket attack on a shopping mall in southern Israel, which came as Bush held talks in Jerusalem.Israel says Hamas bears ultimate responsibility for such attacks because the Islamist movement has been in control of Gaza since ousting forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in June.Gaza militants regularly fire rockets at southern Israel, but their artillery has a limited range. Yadlin warned, however, that Hamas could have rockets with a 40-kilometre (25-mile) range within two years.Hamas already has several hundred rockets with a range of 20 kilometres, he told Haaretz.We must put an end to Hamas power in Gaza, said Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon. Under no circumstances should we allow the creation of a Hamastan on Israel's southern border.He also spoke out against negotiating a truce with Hamas, which Israel and the West consider a terror outfit.
Israel and Palestinian militants have talked separately to Egyptian mediators about a possible truce, but Hamas rejected Israel's demand that it first free an Israeli soldier captured by the Islamists almost two years ago.Army radio quoted military officials as saying that if Hamas rejects the Israeli conditions, military operations would be launched some time after Bush concludes his three-day trip on Friday.Israel launches frequent military operations in Gaza and imposes a crippling blockade on the coastal strip which it says aims to force militants to halt their rocket and mortar attacks.Late Wednesday, an Israeli air strike on Gaza killed two Hamas militants and wounded four, Palestinian medical sources said.Ben-Eliezer called for even tougher measures against the Islamist movement, saying what is needed is targeted killings, including of Hamas political leaders.
Iran's Ahmadinejad says Israel dying Wed May 14, 6:59 AM ET
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Wednesday that Muslims would uproot Israel at the first opportunity, saying the Jewish state was dying, a local news agency reported. His comments coincided with the arrival in Israel of US President George W. Bush to mark the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state.They (Israel) must know that the nations of the region hate this counterfeit regime, Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency in a speech in the northern province of Golestan.
And if there is the slightest chance, they will uproot this counterfeit regime, said Ahmadinejad, who since becoming president in 2005 has repeatedly provoked international outrage by predicting Israel is doomed to disappear.He has also caused controversy by playing down the scale of the Holocaust.They must know that the Zionist regime is on the verge of dying... throwing a birthday party for this regime is like having a birthday party for a dead person, said the outspoken president.
Bush in Israel as scandal clouds peace hopes Wed May 14, 4:24 AM ET
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - President George W. Bush arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary and try to energize peace talks complicated by a corruption scandal that could topple Israel's prime minister. Bush, who faces deep skepticism he can secure a deal between Israel and the Palestinians before leaving the White House in January, flew into Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport. He then visits Jerusalem, where bribery suspicions against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have clouded the U.S.-backed peace drive.
Bush: Obama Would Appease Terrorists MAY 15,08
(newser) – He didn't name names, but he didn't need to. President Bush used an appearance before Israel’s Knesset today to accuse Barack Obama of the foolish delusion that we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals. In comments aimed at Obama’s support among American Jews, CNN notes, the president compared the Democrat to Hitler appeasers, saying, We have an obligation to call this what it is—the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.Obama, in return, chided Bush for using the occasion to launch a false political attack, and in general for an extraordinary politicization of foreign policy, CNN reports, adding, the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel. He re-asserted his belief that, like Kennedy, Nixon, and Reagan, the US should use all elements of American power—including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy to pressure inhospitable countries.
Bush links optimism for Mideast reform to democratic Israel
By JENNIFER LOVEN,Associated Press
Posted: 2008-05-14 15:11:06
JERUSALEM (AP) - President Bush said Wednesday that 60 years of Israel's existence is cause for optimism for democratic change throughout the Middle East. What happened here is possible everywhere, Bush said, opening a trip divided between ceremonial duties and a new push for Israeli-Palestinian peace.The president, trying to hold together peace talks in his waning months in office, said modern Israel gives him a strong example to preach optimism to other nations in the region.I suspect if you looked back 60 years ago and tried to guess where Israel would be at that time, it would be hard to be able to project such a prosperous, hopeful land, Bush said during a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. No question, people would have said, We'd be surrounded by hostile forces.
Yet troubling realities offset Bush's rosy message.
A weakened Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert fended off corruption allegations. New bursts of violence erupted in the Gaza Strip. And an Israeli Cabinet minister claimed he's won approval to expand settlement activity in the West Bank, a development that could undermine peace talks with Palestinians.Bush has expressed confidence, though more tempered lately, that an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement would be struck before his term ends. But he and his aides are holding out little hope for a major breakthrough during this five-day trip to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said ahead of the trip that reaching a deal to end one of the world's longest-running and most difficult disputes within the next eight months might be improbable, but it's not impossible.
Meanwhile, the violence continued.
A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in a shopping center in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, wounding at least three people and leaving at least two trapped under the rubble, officials said. Two other people were killed in recent days in attacks by Palestinian militants on Israeli communities outside Gaza, even as an Egyptian mediator met with Israeli officials to try to work out a truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers.What happened today is entirely intolerable and unacceptable, Olmert said. The government of Israel is committed to stopping it, and we will take the necessary steps so that this will stop.The White House also condemned the attack. It's clear Hamas isn't interested in peace or helping the people of Gaza lead better lives, Bush spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. Political goals will never be achieved by launching rockets from Gaza onto innocent women and children.In a speech Thursday before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, Bush plans to discuss his vision for the country on its 120th anniversary - a vision that includes peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state, Johndroe said.
Bush will say the celebration of Israel's founding is a time to look forward, as well as back.The United States and Israel share a belief that all people have the right to live in peace, that democracy is the best way to ensure human rights, that religious liberty is fundamental to civilized society and that using violence to achieve political objectives is always wrong, Johndroe said in a preview of the address' themes.While focusing primarily on celebrating Israel's birthday, Bush also will use the speech to acknowledge - briefly - that Palestinians view the anniversary much differently, said a senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Israel's establishment resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, so they call the milestone al-naqba or the catastrophe.Bush planned to state his concern for the daily lives of Palestinians and the Israeli responsibility for helping to improve them, the official said. Olmert, in Bush's view, is a partner who agrees with this. The president also was to meet Thursday with international Mideast envoy Tony Blair for an update on progress for improving Palestinian civic institutions and economic conditions. He spoke about the issue in his meetings Wednesday with both Olmert and Peres, the official said.Peres, meeting with Bush in the trellis-covered sandstone portion of his gardens, backed Bush's hope for an accord, saying Israelis want to work with Palestinians.
We would like to see the Palestinians living together, he said. They have suffered a great deal of their life. The separation is a tragedy for them and for the rest of us.Israel has imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip during Bush's visit, though, preventing Palestinians from entering the country. Normally, tens of thousands of Palestinians are permitted into Israel each day for work, health care and family visits.And just hours before Bush arrived, Eli Yishai, a right-wing minister in Olmert's Cabinet, said the prime minister had agreed to the construction of hundreds of homes in a West Bank settlement. Olmert spokesman Mark Regev disputed the claim, saying no decision had been made. In current peace talks, the Palestinians demand that Israel stop building in areas they both want for a future state, and Israel's failure to do so - despite pressure from the Bush administration - has increased Palestinian disappointment and frustration.Also Wednesday, Israeli military raids on the Gaza Strip killed two Palestinian civilians and three militants, Palestinian medical officials said.Israel frequently raids Gaza to try to stop militants from firing rockets and mortars at Israeli border communities. But the attacks occur almost daily, and Olmert threatened a larger Israeli military incursion into Gaza after two hours of meetings with Bush at his official residence.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas called the Bush visit a bad omen.No greetings to you, Bush, on our holy land, said Hamas strongman Mahmoud Zahar. Your people will punish you one day.Upon Bush's arrival at the airport at Tel Aviv, he hugged Olmert, the subject of a new criminal investigation that could push him from office. Earlier, broadcasters microphones had picked up Olmert's assurances to Hadley: Holding on, holding on, don't worry.Olmert has rejected charges that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and possibly bribes. But he has also pledged to step down if he is indicted.At night, Bush spoke at a conference in Jerusalem celebrating the Jewish state's birthday.A huge cheer erupted as Bush and his wife, Laura, entered the large theater at the convention center, their images visible on giant screens for those too far back to see the floor. Then came a gasp when the moderator opened the evening's program by delivering news of the Ashkelon attack.The evening amounted to a glowing tribute to the American-Israeli relationship, and Bush was clearly moved by the praise he received.You are an unusual person. You are an unusual leader. And you are an unusual friend of the people of Israel, Olmert told the U.S. president.Bush's eyes teared up as he tried to hold back his emotion. He received an ovation from the audience, and soon got a hug from Olmert.Bush said there will be a time when every child of the Middle East can live in peace and freedom.When that day comes, Bush told Israeli leaders, the United States of America will be at your side.The Associated Press. 05/14/2008 14:49 ET
Wednesday, May. 14, 2008
Remarks by President Bush, President Peres of Israel and Prime Minister Olmert of Israel TEL AVIV, Israel — Ben Gurion International Airport
Tel Aviv, Israel 11:32 A.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT PERES: Our dear friend and President of the United States and Mrs. George Bush, first of all, mazel tov. Your joy is ours. Welcome to the new Israel, 3,000 years old and going on the 60th. We are grateful to you for gracing this occasion.
Mr. President, you have demonstrated toward us a Biblical attitude, which is very rare; a warm friendship; a determined dedication to the promotion of peace and security in the entire region. In those 60 years, we were able to demonstrate that though outnumbered and outgunned, a democracy could still win seven wars during this period. Furthermore, while fighting, we never postponed democracy even for a single day. And even though many times under attack, we never lost our desire for peace.
Miracles happen when dedicated people make them happen. Mr. President, you stood like nobody else on our side in sunny mornings and stormy weather. So thank you, Mr. President. Your presence here permits us something that we really wanted to do, and that is to celebrate a real thanksgiving party to the United States from the depth of our heart, expressing our thanks to you, to the greatest phenomena of freedom in history, the United States of America.
Welcome to Israel, Mr. President and Mrs. Bush.
PRIME MINISTER OLMERT: It's an honor and a privilege to welcome the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, and Mrs. Bush, in Israel for the second time this year. This is an historic year for the state of Israel, as we mark 60 years of independence. The ideals reflected in America's Declaration of Independence inspired Israel's founding fathers in their quest to shape the character of the state of Israel as a democratic country based on the principles of freedom, justice and equality.
Throughout the years, the strategic alliance with America has become one of the fundamental pillars of our national security. And the bond between our peoples has grown deeper and stronger with time. America has been there at each and every important crossroad in the life of our young country, and stood by us in times of hope and in moments of crisis.
Since assuming office almost eight years ago, President George Bush has been our closest ally and partner. Your decision to celebrate this historic milestone with us is an extraordinary gesture of friendship, and is further evidence of your unending commitment to the security and well being of our country.
I welcome you and Laura to Israel. I thank you for your friendship and decision to come and celebrate this important occasion with us. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Olmert, thank you very much for your warm welcome. It's good to be back again. We're proud to reaffirm the friendship of our peoples, and we're delighted to join you in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. Our two nations both faced great challenges when they were founded, and our two nations have both relied on the same principles to help us succeed. We've built strong democracies to protect the freedoms given to us by an Almighty God. We've welcomed immigrants, who have helped us thrive. We've built prosperous economies by rewarding innovation and risk-taking and trade. And we've built an enduring alliance to confront terrorists and tyrants.
Americans and Israelis can be proud of our past, and the best way to honor our founders is to continue the work they started. Tomorrow I'm going to address the members of the Knesset and the people of Israel. I look forward to discussing how I believe our two nations can continue to advance our ideals and approach our next 60 years of partnership with confidence and with hope.
Laura and I appreciate your invitation, your kind invitation to share these days of celebration with you. We consider the Holy Land a very special place, and we consider the Israeli people our close friends. Shalom.
END 11:37 A.M. (Local)
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 13, 2008
President Bush Discusses Importance of Freedom in the Middle East
Emirates Palace Hotel
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 3:50 P.M. (Local)
THE PRESIDENT: Doctor Aida, thank you very much for the kind introduction. Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and distinguished guests: I am honored by the opportunity to stand on Arab soil and speak to the people of this nation and this region.
Throughout the sweep of history, the lands that the Arab people call home have played a pivotal role in world affairs. These lands sit at the juncture of three great continents -- Europe and Asia and Africa. These lands have given birth to three of the world's major religions. These lands have seen the rise and fall of great civilizations. And in the 21st century, these lands are once again playing a central role in the human story.
A great new era is unfolding before us. This new era is founded on the equality of all people before God. This new era is being built with the understanding that power is a trust that must be exercised with the consent of the governed -- and deliver equal justice under the law. And this new era offers hope for the millions across the Middle East who yearn for a future of peace and progress and opportunity.
Here in Abu Dhabi, we see clearly the outlines of this future. Beginning with the revered father of this country -- Sheikh Zayed -- you have succeeded in building a prosperous society out of the desert. You have opened your doors to the world economy. You have encouraged women to contribute to the development of your nation -- and they have occupied some of your highest ministerial posts. You have held historic elections for the Federal National Council. You have shown the world a model of a Muslim state that is tolerant toward people of other faiths. I'm proud to stand in a nation where the people have an opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families. Thank you for your warm hospitality.
In my country, we speak of these developments as the advance of freedom. Others may call it the advance of justice. Yet whatever term we use, the ideal is the same. In a free and just society, every person is treated with dignity. In a free and just society, leaders are accountable to those they govern. And in a free and just society, individuals can rise as far as their talents and hard work will take them.
For decades, the people of this region saw their desire for liberty and justice denied at home and dismissed abroad in the name of stability. Today your aspirations are threatened by violent extremists who murder the innocent in pursuit of power. These extremists have hijacked the noble religion of Islam, and seek to impose their totalitarian ideology on millions. They hate freedom and they hate democracy -- because it fosters religious tolerance and allows people to chart their own future. They hate your government because it does not share their dark vision. They hate the United States because they know we stand with you in opposition to their brutal ambitions. And everywhere they go, they use murder and fear to foment instability to advance their aims.
One cause of instability is the extremists supported and embodied by the regime that sits in Tehran. Iran is today the world's leading state sponsor of terror. It sends hundreds of millions of dollars to extremists around the world -- while its own people face repression and economic hardship at home. It undermines Lebanese hopes for peace by arming and aiding the terrorist group Hezbollah. It subverts the hopes for peace in other parts of the region by funding terrorist groups like Hamas and the Palestine Islamic Jihad. It sends arms to the Taliban in Afghanistan and Shia militants in Iraq. It seeks to intimidate its neighbors with ballistic missiles and bellicose rhetoric. And finally, it defies the United Nations and destabilizes the region by refusing to be open and transparent about its nuclear programs and ambitions. Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere. So the United States is strengthening our longstanding security commitments with our friends in the Gulf -- and rallying friends around the world to confront this danger before it is too late.
The other major cause of instability is the extremists embodied by al Qaeda and its affiliates. On September 11, 2001, al Qaeda murdered nearly 3,000 people on America's home soil. Some of the victims that day were innocent Muslims. And since then, al Qaeda and its allies have killed many more Muslims here in the Middle East -- including women and children. In Afghanistan under the Taliban, on Iraq's Anbar Province, they ruled by intimidation and murder. Their goal is to impose that same dark rule across the Middle East. So they seek to topple your governments, acquire weapons of mass destruction, and drive a wedge between the people of the United States and the people of the Middle East. And they will fail. The United States joins you in your commitment to the freedom and security of this region -- and we will not abandon you to terrorists or extremists.
The fight against the forces of extremism is the great ideological struggle of our time. And in this fight, our nations have a weapon more powerful than bombs or bullets. It is the desire for freedom and justice written into our hearts by Almighty God -- and no terrorist or tyrant can take that away. We see this desire in the 12 million Iraqis who dipped their fingers in purple ink as they voted in defiance of al Qaeda. We see the desire in the Palestinians who elected a President committed to peace and reconciliation. We see this desire in the thousands of Lebanese whose protests helped rid their country of a foreign occupier. And we see this desire in the brave dissidents and journalists who speak out against terror and oppression and injustice. We see this desire in the ordinary people across the Middle East, who are sick of violence, who are sick of corruption, sick of empty promises -- and who choose a free future whenever they are given a chance.
We also see leaders across this region beginning to respond to the desires of their people -- and take the steps that will help enhance the stability and prosperity of their nations. The recent elections to your Federal National Council represent the first part of a larger reform designed to make your government more modern and more representative. Algeria held its first competitive presidential elections. Kuwait held elections in which women were allowed to vote and hold office for the first time. Citizens have voted in municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, in competitive parliamentary elections in Jordan and Morocco and Bahrain, and in a multiparty presidential election in Yemen. Across the world, the majority of Muslim people live in a free and democratic society -- and the people of the Middle East must continue to work for the day where that is also true of the lands that Islam first called home.
As freedom and justice advance in this part of the world, elections are important, but they're only a start. Free and just societies require strong civic institutions, such as houses of worship, universities, professional associations, local governments and community groups. Free and just societies require habits of self-government that contribute to the rule of law. And free and just societies ultimately depend on the emergence of an engaged public whose citizens feel they have a real stake in their nation's future. All these developments contribute to the bond between government and the governed, between a people and their nation.
Free and just societies also create opportunities for their citizens. This opportunity begins with economic growth. In any society, the greatest resource is not the oil in the ground or the minerals beneath the soil. It is the skills and talents of the people. Or as one Nobel winning economist calls this human capital. Across this region, you have an abundance of human capital -- in the men and women who are your citizens. By strengthening your education systems and opening your economies, you will unlock their potential, create vibrant and entrepreneurial societies, and usher in a new era where people have confidence that tomorrow will bring more opportunities than today.
In the last few years, the nations of this region have made some great progress. The World Bank reports that economic growth is strong and it is rising. Saudi Arabia has joined the World Trade Organization. Jordan, Oman, Bahrain, and Morocco have signed free trade agreements with the United States. Your nations are attracting more foreign investment. Oil accounts for much of the economic growth here. But the nations of the Middle East are now investing in their people, and building infrastructure, and opening the door to foreign trade and investment. America supports you in these efforts. We believe that trade and investment is the key to the future of hope and opportunity. We also believe that as we demand you open your markets we should open ours, as well. We're encouraged by the movement toward economic freedom that we're seeing across the Middle East.
Unfortunately, amid some steps forward in this region we've also seen some setbacks. You cannot build trust when you hold an election where opposition candidates find themselves harassed or in prison. You cannot expect people to believe in the promise of a better future when they are jailed for peacefully petitioning their government. And you cannot stand up a modern and confident nation when you do not allow people to voice their legitimate criticisms.
The United States appreciates that democratic progress requires tough choices. Our own history teaches us that the road to freedom is not always even, and democracy does not come overnight. Yet we also know that for all the difficulties, a society based on liberty is worth the sacrifice. We know that democracy is the only form of government that treats individuals with the dignity and equality that is their right. We know from experience that democracy is the only system of government that yields lasting peace and stability. In a democracy, leaders depend on their people -- and most people do not want war and bloodshed and violence. Most people want lives of peace and opportunity. So it is the declared policy of the United States to support these peoples as they claim their freedom -- as a matter of natural right and national interest.
I recognize that some people -- including some in my own country -- believe it is a mistake to support democratic freedom in the Middle East. They say that the Arab people are not ready for democracy. Of course, that is exactly what people said about the Japanese after World War II. Some said that having an Emperor was incompatible with democracy. Some said that the Japanese religion was incompatible with democracy. Some said that advancing freedom in Japan and the Pacific was unwise, because our interests lay in supporting pro-American leaders no matter how they ruled their people.
Fortunately, America rejected this advice, kept our faith in freedom, and stood with the people of Asia. The results are now in. Today the people of Japan have both a working democracy and a hereditary emperor. They have preserved their traditional religious practices while tolerating the faiths of others. They are surrounded by many democracies that reflect the full diversity of the region. Some of these democracies have constitutional monarchies, some have parliaments, and some have presidents. Some of these democracies have Christian majorities, some have Muslim majorities, some have Hindu or Buddhist majorities. Yet for all the differences, the free nations of Asia all derive their authority from the consent of the governed -- and all know the lasting stability that only freedom can bring.
This transformation would not have been possible without America's presence and perseverance over many decades. And just as our commitment to Asia helped people there secure their freedom and prosperity, our commitment to the Middle East will help you achieve yours. And you can know from our record in Asia that our commitment is real, it is strong, and it is lasting.
Today America is using its influence to foster peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. The Israelis have raised a thriving modern society out of rocky soil, and want to live their lives in freedom and security at home and at peace with their neighbors. The Palestinian people aspire to build a nation of their own -- where they can live in dignity and realize their dreams. Today Israelis and Palestinians each understand that the only way to realize their own goals is by helping one another. In other words, an independent, viable, democratic, and peaceful Palestinian state is more than the dream of the Palestinians. It's also the best guarantee for peace for all its neighbors -- and the Israelis understand this. Leaders on both sides still have many tough decisions ahead, and they will need to back these decisions with real commitments. But the time has come for a Holy Land where Palestinian and Israeli live together in peace.
America will do our part. In Annapolis in November, the United States invited the Israelis and the Palestinians, and other members of the international community to come to a conference. And I appreciate the fact that your country sent a delegate. It was a remarkable thing to see a Palestinian President and an Israeli Prime Minister address a roomful of Arab leaders together. And the result was that the Palestinians and Israelis launched negotiations for the establishment of a Palestinian state and a broader peace.
The talks are just beginning, and our hopes are high. At the beginning of my trip, I met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. I was impressed by their commitment to move forward. And by supporting the legitimate aspirations of both sides, we will encourage reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian people, foster reconciliation between Israelis and Arabs, and build a foundation for lasting peace that will contribute to the security of every state in the Gulf.
And as you build a Middle East growing in peace and prosperity, the United States will be your partner. As we have done in places from Asia to Europe, we have forged new relationships with friends and allies designed to help you protect your people and your borders. As we have done in places from Asia to Europe, we're helping you bring your economies into the global market. And as we have done in places from Asia to Europe, we have launched programs designed to help you promote economic reform and educational opportunity and political participation.
The United States has no desire for territory. We seek our shared security in your liberty. We believe that stability can only come through a free and just Middle East -- where the extremists are marginalized by millions of moms and dads who want the same opportunities for their children that we have for ours.
So today I would like to speak directly to the people of the Middle East.
To the Palestinian people: The dignity and sovereignty that is your right is within your reach. In President Abbas, you have a leader who understands that the path forward is through peaceful negotiations. Help him as he makes the tough decisions for peace. Oppose the extremists and terrorists who represent the greatest threat to a Palestinian state. The United States will help you build the institutions of democracy and prosperity -- and make your dreams of a state come true.
To the people of Israel: You know that peace and reconciliation with your neighbors is the best path to long-term security. We believe that peace is possible, though it requires tough decisions. The United States will always stand with Israel in the face of terrorism. And we will support you as you work to ensure the security of your people -- and bring peace and reconciliation to the Holy Land.
To the people of Iraq: You have made your choice for democracy, and you have stood firm in face of terrible acts of murder. The terrorists and extremists cannot prevail. They are tormented by the sight of an old man voting, or a young girl going to school -- because they know a successful democracy is a mortal threat to their ambitions. The United States is fighting side by side with Sunni and Shia and Kurd to root out the terrorists and extremists. We have dealt them serious blows. The United States will continue to support you as you build the institutions of a free society. And together we'll defeat our common enemies.
To the people of Iran: You are rich in culture and talent. You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents, and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities, and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will, and to make itself accountable to you. The day will come when the people of Iran have a government that embraces liberty and justice, and Iran joins the community of free nations. And when that good day comes, you will have no better friend than the United States of America.
To the leaders across the Middle East who are fighting the extremists: The United States will stand with you as you confront the terrorists and radicals. We urge you to join us in committing the resources to help the Palestinians build the institutions of a free society. Help the citizens of Lebanon preserve their government and their sovereignty in the face of outside pressure from their neighbors. Show the Iraqis that you support them in their effort to build a more hopeful nation. And as you do these things, the best way to defeat the extremists in your midst is by opening your societies, and trusting in your people, and giving them a voice in their nation.
And finally, to the people of the Middle East: We hear your cries for justice. We share your desire for a free and prosperous future. And as you struggle to find your voice and make your way in this world, the United States will stand with you.
For most of the world, there's no greater symbol of America than the Statue of Liberty. It was designed by a man who traveled widely in this part of the world -- and who had originally envisioned his woman bearing a torch as standing over the Suez Canal. Ultimately, of course, it was erected in New York Harbor, where it has been an inspiration to generations of immigrants. One of these immigrants was a poet-writer named Ameen Rihani. Gazing at her lamp held high, he wondered whether her sister might be erected in the lands of his Arab forefathers. Here is how he put it: When will you turn your face toward the East, oh Liberty?
My friends, a future of liberty stands before you. It is your right. It is your dream. And it is your destiny.
God bless. (Applause.) END 4:13 P.M. (Local)
