The Arab League and individual Arab countries have sent a letter of protest to U.S. President George W. Bush following reports that Bush accepted Israeli President Shimon Peres's invitation to participate in Israel's 60th anniversary celebration.
According to Arabic newspaper Al Halij, the Arab League expressed disappointment and protest over Bush's intention of participating in the celebration and said that the creation of Israel was accompanied by a catastrophe ("nakba") for Arabs and their expulsion from their land.