Bush Assures Israel Iran Seen As Threat

In this picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office, U.S. President George W. Bush, right, gestures as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, looks on after their meeting at the Oval Office of the White House Monday, Nov. 13, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Moshe Milner/Government Press Office) (Moshe Milner - AP)

In New York, the leading nations of the U.N. Security Council worked once again without agreeing to sanctions that could begin pinching Iran.

Olmert, who also met with Vice President Dick Cheney and members of Congress, was heading to Los Angeles on Tuesday to speak to Jewish groups.

The Israeli leader, who also came to Washington to discuss the search for an acceptable Palestinian partner for peacemaking, most of all wanted a clear statement from Bush that Iran's threat to erase Israel from the map had implication far beyond the tiny Jewish state.

"There is no question that the Iranian threat is not just a threat for Israel, but for the whole world," Olmert said.

The two leaders also took note of developments in the Palestinian camp that could push moderates to the fore. With Bush's support, Olmert said he would try to meet soon with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader who has spoken against attacks on Israel.

Palestinian factions are trying to agree to a unity government of technocrats. The aim is to bridge Hamas, which is dedicated to Israel's destruction and currently is the dominant force in the Palestinian government, and the more moderate Fatah, some of whose members are pragmatic about coming to terms with Israel to establish a state on land now held by Israel.

The United States, Israel and the European Union all have vowed not to deal with Hamas as long as it attacks Israel and refuses to recognize its existence.

Bush and Olmert gave no hint of bending on that principle.

Olmert's spokeswoman, Miri Eisen, told Israeli reporters: "There was across-the-board agreement with the president and other officials about the need for the Palestinians to adhere to the conditions of the international community."