Published: May 15, 2008 02:12 am            

Bush puts optimistic face on peace hope in Mideast

JERUSALEM — From a whispered conversation to a deafening rocket attack, there were fresh signs of trouble Wednesday on the perilous road toward Mideast peace.

As President Bush greeted Israeli officials at the airport on his arrival, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert drew aside the White House national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, for a few quiet words. A key player in the Mideast talks, Olmert has been weakened by a corruption investigation that has raised doubts about his ability to make compromises necessary for a deal with Palestinian leaders. He has promised to resign if indicted.

“Holding on. Holding on. Don’t worry,” Olmert told Hadley. Picked up by media microphones, the anxious assurance did little to assuage questions about Olmert’s influence or grip on power.

Within hours, there was even more troubling news.

Bush and Olmert met to discuss the peace process and threats to Israel’s security — only to learn that a rocket fired from Gaza had slammed into a crowded shopping center in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. At least 14 people were wounded. Two militant groups, the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad and the Hamas-linked Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility.

“What happened today is entirely intolerable and unacceptable,” Olmert declared at an Israeli celebration Wednesday night during which Bush was honored. “The government of Israel is committed to stopping it, and we will take the necessary steps so that this will stop.” The audience erupted in applause before he finished the sentence.

The White House blamed Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. “Political goals will never be achieved by launching rockets from Gaza onto innocent women and children,” the U.S. said.

Welcomed as Israel’s closest ally, Bush was the star guest at an evening of music, dance and speeches marking the 60th anniversary of Israel’s founding in the wake of the Nazi holocaust. Bush’s approval ratings are at record lows at home, but he got a hero’s reception here.

The audience of several thousand people included American businessman Sheldon Adelson, whom Israeli police questioned Monday in the Olmert probe. Wednesday night, the billionaire casino mogul sat in the front row with Bush, first lady Laura Bush and other U.S. and Israeli officials, including Olmert.

In 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel, 11 minutes after the Israelis declared statehood. In that decision, President Harry Truman broke with his secretary of state, George Marshall, and most of the foreign policy community.

“Because Harry Truman did what was right instead of following the conventional wisdom, we can say today that America is Israel’s oldest and best friend in the world,” Bush said to cheers from conference guests.

“America stands for peace, and so does Israel,” Bush said. “And as we stand in peace, we must understand the realities of the world in which we live. We must be steadfast. And we must be strong in the face of those who murder the innocent to achieve their objectives. In the long run, we share a powerful belief and a powerful weapon against the terrorists. We believe that the surest way to defeat the enemies of hatred is to advance the cause of hope through the cause of freedom.”

Bush said there will be a day when every child of the Middle East can live in peace and freedom.

Olmert told Bush: “You are an unusual person. You are an unusual leader. And you are an unusual friend of the people of Israel.”

Bush’s eyes teared up. He received an ovation from the audience and a hug from Olmert.

        

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