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Bush Responds to Arab Criticism on Pro-Israel Position

By The Media Line Staff

In an attempt to quell the anger in the Arab world over comments he made in support of Israel, United States President George W. Bush has expressed a strong commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state before the end of his term in January 2009.

Bush arrived in Sharm A-Sheikh, in Egypt, on Saturday, in order to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), and also to push forward his vision of reaching a final agreement between Israelis and Palestinians by the end of his term.

Before his arrival in Egypt, Bush spent time in Saudi Arabia and in Israel, to honor the Jewish state's 60th anniversary.

"The alliance between our governments is unbreakable," Bush said in an address to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

Bush's comments of unwavering support for Israel sparked fury in the Arab world, claiming the U.S. could not be an honest broker in the conflict, and that the president was ignoring the rights of the Palestinians.

Following a meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud 'Abbas in Sharm A-Sheikh on Saturday, Bush said it broke his heart to see the potential of the Palestinian people being wasted.

He said he believed a Palestinian state could be defined by the end of his presidency.

At the WEF Bush is addressing the Saudis' increase in oil production, which was aimed to bring about an easing of the world fuel crisis. He welcomed the move but said it was still not enough to solve the problem of soaring gasoline prices.

The Saudis recently announced they would increase production by a modest 300,000 barrels of oil per day up from 9.1 million bpd.

Bush said there would have to be more action taken at home, where the U.S. would need to put more effort into exploration, conservation, refining and seeking alternative energy sources.

On another front, Bush is urging Arab countries to take a stand against Iran and its supporters during the WEF.

"I will urge leaders across the region to reject spoilers such as the regimes in Iran and Syria," Bush said in his recent radio address.