Middle East News
Bush: Israel, US share powerful belief in advancing hope (Extra)
By DPA
May 14, 2008, 19:07 GMT

Jerusalem - Israel and the United States needed to be 'steadfast in the face of those who would murder the innocent' in pursuit of their goals, US President George W Bush said Wednesday night.

Addressing an international conference in Jerusalem, he said Israel and the United States shared a 'powerful' belief 'to advance the cause of hope, freedom and liberty, as the great alternative to tyranny and terror.'

The US, he said, was 'Israel's oldest and best friend in the world' and the bonds between the two countries grew stronger 'with every passing year.'

Closing his brief remarks at the Jerusalem Convention Centre, Bush said he looked forward to the day when 'every child in the Middle East will live in peace.'

'We know that day will come, and when it does, the US will be at your (Israel's) side,' he said.

Bush did not mention in his speech the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which resumed under his auspices at the turn of the year. But he has scheduled meetings with Israeli leaders during his visit, and is set hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh on Saturday and Sunday.

The president and first lady arrived in Israel shortly before noon Wednesday, for a 48-hour visit in honour of Israel's 60th anniversary, which was celebrated last week.

In addition to addressing the 'Facing Tomorrow' conference on Wednesday night, Bush is also slated to give a speech to the Knesset on Thursday, and to visit the ancient desert fortress of Masada.

He meets with young Israelis on Friday morning before leaving for Saudi Arabia.