Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 7, 2008 4:00:10 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Bush Sees Palestinian State Deal 'Within Year'

Posted Jan 10, 08 6:03 AM CST in Politics,  World 

(Newser) – President Bush announced today after a historic meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he envisions an independent Palestinian state within a year—just hours after he also vowed to back a decision by Israel to create settlements in disputed parts of Jerusalem, over international objections. The president's juggling demonstrates the difficulty of satisfying both sides in the Mideast conflict.

"I believe there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office," Bush said at a press conference with Abbas. The president, who also earlier told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert he'd give Israel a free hand to continue military action against Palestinian militants, wants to give both leaders a way to sell his peace initiative to their people. Bush said neither side should "lose sight of the potential for a historic agreement."

Sources Reuters, Wall Street Journal

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Abbas Freezes Peace Talks With Israel

    Mar 2, 08 1:24 PM CST
    Abbas Freezes Peace Talks With Israel Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas halted peace talks with Israel today “until [Israeli] aggression is stopped,” Reuters reports. Abbas ordered the suspension of the US-brokered talks as Israel’s Gaza offensive continued and the Palestinian death toll topped 100. But Israeli PM Ehud Olmert showed no sign of relenting, calling Israel's actions self-defense. More »

  • Mideast Talks Tackle 'Core Issues'

    Jan 14, 08 10:45 AM CST
    Mideast Talks Tackle 'Core Issues' Talks opened today between high-level Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as leaders on both sides faced intensifying criticism from within their own camps. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert was threatened with the withdrawal of two political parties from his governing coalition if sensitive subjects such as a divided Jerusalem are broached, and Hamas called on Mahmoud Abbas to "stop giving away Palestinian blood and rights for free." More »

  • Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Activity

    Dec 27, 07 2:04 PM CST
    Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Activity Israel-Palestine negotiations hit a stumbling block today as Israeli PM Ehud Olmert rejected Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' call for an end to all settlement activity, Reuters reports. The impasse has been exacerbated by Israel's announcement of new plans to construct hundreds of houses near East Jerusalem, the proposed site of Palestine's future capital. More »

  • Bush, Olmert Meet on Palestine

    Jun 19, 07 8:05 AM CDT
    Bush, Olmert Meet on Palestine President Bush and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert will convene today to discuss future relations with a newly divided Palestine. The US has resumed aid to Mahmoud Abbas' moderate Fatah government, now balkanized from its militant Hamas rivals, and Olmert has signaled his a potential willingness to push peace negotiations by doing the same. More »

U.S. President George W. Bush, greets children waving U.S. and Israeli flags as he arrives at the Israeli President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, for a meeting with Israeli President...   (Associated Press)
President George W. Bush, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem. Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel, Wednesday, seeking...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, talks to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel Wednesday, seeking...   (Associated Press)
Jewish and Arab demonstrators protest U.S. President George W. Bush's visit in front of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)   (Associated Press)
Israeli right wing activists wearing traditional arab head dress demonstrate against the visit of President Bush after Bush arrived in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)   (Associated Press)
United States President, George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, right, following a joint news conference after their meeting in Abbas headquarters in the West Bank...   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, shakes hand with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , following a media conference at Abbas's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday Jan. 10, 2008....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Peace Trip

Tags

George W. Bush  • Ehud Olmert  • Mahmoud Abbas  • Gaza Strip  • settlement  • Palestinians  • peace process  • Stephen Hadley


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with