Rocket fire mars Bush trip to honor Israel anniversary
JERUSALEM - President Bush put an optimistic face on fading hopes for Mideast peace yesterday, declaring that Israel's 60-year triumph over war and tragedy shows that democracy can succeed everywhere. But Bush's upbeat message was marred by rocket fire from Gaza and threats of heavy retaliation by Israel.
Intended as an occasion for celebrating Israel's birthday, Bush's visit instead brought bursts of fresh violence, ominous warnings, and disputed claims that Israel plans to expand settlement activity in the West Bank, a development that could undermine peace talks with Palestinians. It appeared that all sides were vying for the president's attention.
Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed the peace process and threats to Israel's security - only to learn that a rocket fired from Gaza had hit 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 said at a conference where 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 White House said.
Politically weakened by corruption allegations, Olmert found it necessary to offer quiet assurances about his standing.
"Holding on, holding on. Don't worry," Olmert was overheard telling Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley.
Welcomed as Israel's closest ally, Bush was the star guest at an evening marking the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding following the Nazi genocide of 6 million Jews.
The audience of a few thousand people included American businessman Sheldon Adelson, whom Israeli police questioned Monday in the Olmert probe. At last night's gala, the billionaire casino mogul sat in the front row with Bush, Laura Bush, and other US and Israeli officials.
"America stands for peace, and so does Israel," Bush told conference guests. "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 children in 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 as he received an ovation from the audience and a hug from Olmert.
