Two Audiences, Two Speeches

In his speech to the Knesset on Thursday, President Bush vowed to be always by Israel's side. On Sunday, he spoke forcefully about the Palestinian cause. (Pool Photo By Ariel Schalit Via Getty Images)

Also present was actor Ron Silver, who actually was a member of the honorary delegation. That probably made it one of the rare times the Knesset has been graced by the presence of another prominent American Jew, Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz, and an actor who played him in a movie ("Reversal of Fortune.")

Thursday night, Bush delivered on perhaps the one perk available to the delegates. That was an invitation to an elaborate reception in the sculpture garden at the Israeli Museum, home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls and the rare Isaiah Scroll, which has been brought out especially for the 60th anniversary and is not yet open to the public.

Betting on Israel

Practically ubiquitous during the Bush visit was Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, an emerging behind-the-scenes force in conservative politics in the United States and in Israel. Adelson bankrolls a new newspaper that is making waves in Israel by regularly attacking the government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He is the money behind Freedom's Watch, which supports candidates who favor a muscular foreign policy -- and a major philanthropic donor in Israel.

Bush seemed happy to see Adelson when he showed up for the big 60th anniversary celebration in Jerusalem Wednesday night, making a point of shaking his hand and kissing his wife, Miriam. Adelson hosted Bush at a Nevada political fundraiser earlier this year.

Adelson had the misfortune to be present in Israel during the police investigation of possible political corruption by Olmert. The authorities questioned Adelson about the case but do not regard him as a suspect, according to Israeli newspapers.

As in the United States, Adelson is apparently a controversial figure in Israel. He had a prominent place in the festivities last week because he helped fund the President's Conference hosted by Shimon Peres, which provoked some grumbling by a columnist in the newspaper Haaretz. "[It] is still hard to understand how, of all the Jews who have contributed to [Israel's] well-being over the decades, the casino tycoon was the one deserving of attention," wrote Anshel Pfeffer.

Up Close and Personal

Another difference between this Middle East trip and the last one was the presence of first lady Laura Bush. She accompanied the president to some of the big ceremonial events but also maintained her own schedule.

In Jerusalem, the first lady was joined by Aliza Olmert, wife of the prime minister, and Noa Meridor, wife of the Israeli ambassador to Washington, on a tour of the Western Wall tunnels, as well as a visit to "Hand in Hand" school, which educates Arab and Israeli children in Arabic and Hebrew.

The first lady also visited the King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh to talk about U.S.-Saudi efforts to collaborate on preventing breast cancer, a cause she promoted when visiting Saudi Arabia last fall. She did join the president for what turned out to be a lively discussion between Bush and a dozen young Israelis. They included a 16-year-old Palestinian Christian girl, Henriette Charcar, who challenged Bush over linking Muslims to extremism in his speeches.

"Actually, what I say is you're not a religious person if you're a murderer," Bush replied. "But you're right. I've got to do a better job of making it clear when I talk about Islam I talk about a peaceful religion, which I talk about a lot."

Although the discussion was largely serious, Bush kidded a 17-year-old boy who said he is a judo instructor and guitarist and arrived in a Western-style short-sleeve shirt with snaps. "Where'd you get the snap shirt, man?" he asked Jonathan Blumenfeld.

Jonathan said he had been warned that Bush would tease him about his shirt, and was worried because everyone else arrived in business shirts. "No, you look good, man," Bush said.

The president also displayed a certain ignorance of cultural norms when he asked if Arabs and Jews date, or go to dances. "No dances?" he asked, sounding surprised. U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones explained that it was a more conservative society in Israel.

Quote of the Week

Questioner: "First of all, congratulations on your daughter's wedding this weekend."

Bush: "Thank you. It was -- as my Jewish friends tell me, there was mazel tov."

-- From an interview by Israeli Channel 10