President Bush takes reporters' questions at White House news conference today |
JERUSALEM – Israeli officials said they were surprised when President Bush turned down a request to address Israel's Knesset during a visit here next month, his first trip to the Jewish state as U.S. president.
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, a ranking member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party, put in a request to Bush's aides earlier this month for the president to address the Knesset, a longstanding tradition among visiting heads of state. Bush is due in Jerusalem as part of a follow-up to last month's U.S.-led Annapolis summit.
But the White House turned down Itzik, explaining Bush might be seen as biased toward Israel, since he could not similarly address the Palestinian parliament due to the inclusion of the Hamas terror organization, reported Israel's Channel 10 Television.
Political sources in Jerusalem, speaking to WND on condition of anonymity for fear of starting a diplomatic crisis, said Olmert's office was "surprised" by the decline.
"It's a slap in the face," said an official. "Even (Egyptian President Anwar) Sadat, who once said he'd destroy Israel, addressed the Knesset when he visited Jerusalem."
Following his loss to Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Sadat traveled to the Jewish state in November 1977 and made a historic address to the Knesset calling for peace talks.
Israeli Knesset |
Traditionally, visiting U.S. presidents have addressed the Knesset. In an October 1994 address, President Bill Clinton hailed the Oslo Accords signed one year earlier. Even Jimmy Carter, who is widely accused by many of holding anti-Israel sentiments, addressed the Knesset during a state visit here.
In Israel, Bush will meet with Israeli leaders and then travel to the Palestinian territories for a brief sit-down with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The leaders will discuss negotiations aimed at the creation of a Palestinian state before Bush leaves office next year.
Meanwhile, Israel's security preparations for Bush's visit kick-started earlier this week. The trip will see the second largest police deployment in Israeli history, topped only by Israel's 2005 Gaza evacuation, according to security officials.
At least 8,000 police officers will provide security for Bush's visit, in addition to thousands more from local fire departments, the Jerusalem municipality and Israel's Airports Authority.
Bush will arrive to an Israeli military parade that will close down Ben Gurion International, the country's main airport. Creating a driving nightmare, Israel's main highway from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv will be completely shut to all civilian traffic while the U.S. president's convoy heads from the airport to Jerusalem for private meetings with Olmert and Israeli President Shimon Peres.
Bush's quick trip here is part of a larger nine-day Middle East tour that will bring him to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
To interview Aaron Klein, contact Tim Bueler Public Relations by e-mail, or call (530) 401-3285.
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