Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 10, 2008 Shvat 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Bush, left, with by Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, arriving at a joint news conference after their meeting in Ramallah Thursday. (AP) Last update - 13:56 10/01/2008 ANALYSIS: Palestinians believe Bush won't pressure Israel By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas  U.S. President George W. Bush was not the bearer of big news for the Palestinian people when he spoke in Ramallah after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. Apart from a broad presentation of his vision for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, Bush spoke inarticulately about his concerns over Israeli settlements, said his convoy managed to get through Israel Defense Forces checkpoints without delay and suggested the Palestinians abandon United Nations resolutions, because they were of no help to them in the past. As Bush spoke, the Muqata, Abbas' Ramallah headquarters, was under closure and Palestinian security forces were inspecting cars every ten minutes in an extremely unusual move. Advertisement American flags were not scattered through the city, but were only visible in the press conference hall and the Muqata plaza. Bush first met personally with Abbas and then with a wider forum of the Palestinian leadership. When it was time to meet with reporters, a feeling of discomfort and restlessness was visible on the face of the American president when he couldn't hear the simultaneous translation of Abbas' statements. In a familiar American stunt, he jokingly told Abbas he completely agrees with him despite the fact that he does not understand Arabic. During the speeches, it was clear from the faces of the Palestinian leadership that were not expecting anything new. The Palestinian claim is clear: Bush doesn't intend to exert pressure on Israel in order to advance the peace process. Abbas still praised Bush - for being the first American president to call for the establishment of a Palestinian state. But it's doubtful that many people believe it will be declared in his last year in office. Related articles: The Bush visit in numbers Ari Shavit / On a Divine Mission Aluf Benn / What a glorious decline Israel Harel / Bush comes to the shtetl Bush in Israel: Iran poses threat to world peace Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Body of 2008' A U.K. men's magazine pays homage to Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli. Echoes of Thessaloniki A book on Sarkozy's Greek-Jewish roots goes on sale in Greece.   1.   merican Jewish leaders will make sure there is NO peace 13:55  |  El-birawi 10/01/08   2.   Peace process to Pals is America forcing Israel to capitulate 14:28  |  Sam 10/01/08   3.   the Palestinians were disappointed too often 14:33  |  Sarah 10/01/08   4.   Actually, Bush has brought some pressure 14:49  |  Natallie Durson 10/01/08   5.   fanatic Sam 15:16  |  Joseba 10/01/08   6.   Why should Bush pressure Israel? 15:20  |  Frank 10/01/08   7.   the message is always the same dont lose every battle 15:20  |  victor hardman 10/01/08   8.   Why 15:23  |  J K 10/01/08   9.   Click "Hypocrite" Fool 15:23  |  Nik "BANNED" Miller 10/01/08   10.   Decades of Israel occupation = little hope 15:24  |  POP 10/01/08   11.   Powerless president 15:37  |  Jens 10/01/08   12.   Pro-palestinians love UN resolutions and law when it suits them 15:46  |  Sam 10/01/08   13.   Israel needs to take back our squatters from Palestine 15:46  |  Nik "BANNED" Miller 10/01/08   14.   The Tragedy of All This Is 15:46  |  Yaakov Sullivan 10/01/08   15.   # 4 Durson....America prefers to be friendly 15:46  |  Lynn 10/01/08   16.   #4 Natalie Durson 15:53  |  Boycott 10/01/08   17.   I was raised in a barn with animals 16:15  |  Kathy 10/01/08   18.   #15 - `Friendly` 16:15  |  What?? 10/01/08   19.   I am your master 16:15  |  GABE1 10/01/08   20.   Post 13 - Nik "BANNED Miller 16:19  |  Nik "BANNED" Miller 10/01/08   21.   Ironically... 16:21  |  Nik "BANNED" Miller 10/01/08   22.   # 2 Peace Process is also Saudis death wish for Israel 16:43  |  Petra 10/01/08   23.   If anybody drives around in Israel,he will realize 16:54  |  TOMY 10/01/08   24.   THE REAL DEAL 17:24  |  Cool B 10/01/08   25.   Arabs-Palestinians 17:25  |  real Vision 10/01/08   26.   What cynicism 17:35  |  Gordon 10/01/08   27.   Yes Israel is not willing 17:40  |  George 10/01/08   28.   NO PEACE WITHOUT SECURITY 18:01  |  James Kevin O`Leary 10/01/08   29.   BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR 18:06  |  TOBIA 10/01/08   30.   Who GIVES PAL MONEY 18:28  |  TOBIA 10/01/08   31.   Bush jokes fell on deaf ears 18:37  |  TheArab Hammer 10/01/08   32.   The Ball Is Actually In The Palestinians` Court 18:42  |  Laguna Geno 10/01/08   33.   The only way to restore Palestinian rights is to defeat Zionism 19:04  |  akiva (zionist) 10/01/08   34.   Shas will support Annapolis if Bush releases Pollard ,1 19:15  |  David Turner 10/01/08   35.   Shas will support Annapolis if Bush releases Pollard ,2 19:16  |  David Turner 10/01/08   36.   #28 J K O`Leary 19:18  |  Boycott 10/01/08   37.   friendly toward Israel.Natallie Durson, of Los Angeles 19:20  |  akiva (zionist) 10/01/08   38.   bush = liar 19:47  |  ravi 10/01/08   39.   the only thing that would pressure zion into peace 20:36  |  economist 10/01/08   40.   For Nik "Podge" Miller # 20 20:55  |  Clickfool 10/01/08

Today Online Bush implores ministers to stay behind Olmert Responses: 350 Libya thwarts Security Council censure of Shlomi missile strike Responses: 120 Shavit: If they want a state, Palestinians must undergo ideology change Responses: 223 W. Bank Palestinians brace for visit by 'that criminal' Bush Responses: 74 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? How many states between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates? (WTR) New poll: Who is the candidate that will have better policies for Israel? Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp More Headlines 00:00 Bush implores government ministers to keep Olmert in power 23:21 Israel to increase industrial-use diesel supply to Gaza Strip 20:45 A devout Christian, Bush makes pilgrimage to Jesus' birthplace 22:45 MI Colonel discharged from IDF for losing memory disk with classified files 23:32 Rabbi's incitement against Olmert threatens to split Chabad 19:36 Manchester United invited to play during Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations 20:10 Book on Greek-Jewish roots of Sarkozy goes on sale in Greece 21:20 Police arrest five students who protested near Tamir's home 23:52 British magazine names Israeli model Bar Refaeli 'Body of 2008' 19:47 Jewish cemetery in New Jersey desecrated by vandals Previous Editions Select Day 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec

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