[Jerusalem] Bush began the visit in Israel, a recipient of considerable aid from Washington and a strong strategic ally of the U.S. in the Middle East.

 

Most Israelis are aware that the U.S. is supportive of Israel, but George W. Bush has set a standard of support that future presidents will find hard to match.

 

There was little expectation that Bush's arrival would herald any dramatic changes in Israelis’ attitudes to him, for better or for worse.

 

Various organizations used the opportunity to push their agenda while they had the eyes and ears of the most powerful man in the free world. Public appeals included demonstrations pressing for the cessation of negotiations with the Palestinians under fire, protests against incitement in the Palestinian curriculum and a billboard campaign in Jerusalem urging Bush to free Jonathan Pollard, an American Jew convicted in the U.S. of spying for Israel.

 

Bush reiterated his understanding of Israel's security concerns, which have resulted in measures that limit freedom of movement for Palestinians.

 

He was also clear in maintaining a hard line towards Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's verbal attacks on Israel.

 

But Yuval Steinitz, a member of Knesset from the opposition Likud Party, says these expressions of support are not new, and "go without saying."

 

Bush's visit was no more than a token gesture of friendship, Steinitz said.

 

In contrast to the Arab world, which the U.S. has angered by standing behind Israeli policies, which they see as problematic for the Palestinians, Steinitz’s criticism comes from the opposite direction. Bush is backing Israeli government policies concerning negotiations, which could be detrimental to the country's security, says Steinitz.

 

The U.S. president has no choice but to support an Israeli government willing to make concessions, even if it is acting against the principles of the Road Map and includes negotiating under fire, Steinitz believes.

 

"He is a real friend of Israel and we're happy to host him here. But we do hope he will not lend a hand to a peace process that might threaten Israel's existence and security."

 

In Steinitz's view, rather than thinking about the future of Israel, Olmert is far more concerned about using the Bush visit to secure his own position, especially since the Winograd report, due to be published in two weeks, is expected to sharply criticize his performance during the 2006 Second Lebanon war, and might again prompt calls for the premier's resignation.

 

MK Michael Nudelman, from the ruling Qadima party, says it is good for Israel to welcome such a powerful leader.

 

However, he cautions, the visit could be damaging to Israel because Bush is rushing both sides into a process that needs to be handled slowly and carefully.

 

"Our leaders just nod and jump into negotiations," Nudelman says. "Bush is making things move faster than they should."

 

Steinitz agrees that it will take more than a presidential visit to bring about long-lasting peace in the region.

 

"The problems are much deeper and no visitor, not even the president of the mighty America, can change that easily," he says.

 

Even the Americans cannot force a peace agreement on the Israelis and the Palestinians, but Yoram Binur, an Israeli journalist covering Palestinian affairs, says the Americans can apply pressure to manipulate the sides into doing things their way.

 

"The Americans are experts at applying pressure in order to achieve what they want," he says. "No doubt they'll do it here as well. It is certain Israel and the Palestinians will not be subjected to the same sets of pressures.” (Written by Rachelle Kliger)