US President George W. Bush told reporters upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport Wednesday, "We seek lasting peace. We see a new opportunity for peace here in the Holy Land and for freedom across the region."
Bush also lightly touched on a sore point between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, one that almost tanked the completion of the joint statement at Annapolis between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
"The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state," said Bush. The definition of Israel as a Jewish State is one that has been bitterly contested by the PA.