President George Bush marked the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding today with an attack on anti-Semitism, especially by those who want to wipe the nation "off the map."
"We believe that religious liberty is fundamental to civilised society so we condemn anti-Semitism in all forms whether by those who openly question Israel's right to exist, or by others who quietly excuse them," he said.
In a speech to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, he pledged that the United States had an unbreakable bond with Israel.
``Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away," he said. "This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of our enemies, and America rejects it utterly. Israel's population may be just over seven million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you."
Mr Bush's five-day Middle East visit, which also takes him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, represents another effort to push peace talks forward as his time in office winds down.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said his nation was ready for peace and that he was working on the US vision of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
He said he was committed to Mr Bush's vision of forming an independent Palestinian state next to Israel.
"I am convinced: a peace agreement that will reflect the vision you presented to the world in June 2002, and that will be based on two states for two people, a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace," he said.
"This agreement will be approved in the Knesset by a large majority and will be supported by the vast majority of the Israeli public."
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