Israel

Chicago, IL -- May 07, 2008 -- This week marks the 60th anniversary of the fulfillment of a dream -- the independence of the State of Israel. Throughout many centuries, Jews held fast to the hope of returning as free people to the land of their ancestors. Blessed with visionary leaders like Theodore Herzl and David Ben-Gurion, in the 20th century they began to take the practical steps necessary to build a modern state.

Against all odds, and overcoming obstacles from international indifference, to hostile opposition in the region, to the murderous crimes of the Nazis, the leaders of the Zionist movement declared the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948. In their moment of triumph, they were immediately plunged into a war for their new nation's very survival.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- MR. HADLEY: Good afternoon. On Tuesday, May 13th, the President and Mrs. Bush will travel to the Middle East. They will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The trip will be an opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding and to demonstrate our nation's support for and commitment to the region.

The President will reaffirm his personal commitment to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and encourage continuing efforts for a two-state solution, a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine living side by side in peace and security.    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- John McCain says he is against earmarks and has promised that as president he would "veto every bill with earmarks" that came across his desk. [CQ, 4/15/08]. He also claims to have "been a very strong proponent to the State of Israel." [Haaretz.com, 2/3/2008]

John McCain protester, New Hampshire: Photo by Roger H. Goun (CC)    » read more »

Business development mission pursues business leads around renewable energy and electric cars that will drive green collar jobs back home to Oregon

April 3, 2008 -- (Jerusalem, Israel) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski continued his business development mission in Israel today where he met with officials from ORMAT Technologies, Solel Solar Systems and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Solar cell in Pummer circuit: Photo by Greg Borenstein (CC)    » read more »

April 2, 2008 -- Oregon Governor wants to further understanding of the critical factors supporting the growth of Intel manufacturing and the R&D center in Israel and look for lessons learned that might apply to Oregon.

(Kiryat Gat, Israel)-- Governor Ted Kulongoski continued his business development mission in Israel today where met with representatives from Intel’s Israeli research and development (R&D) facility.

Intel is Israel’s largest non-governmental employer, with 7,300 workers in production and R&D. By way of comparison, Intel has approximately 15,500 employees in Oregon. Intel chose Israel as the location for its first design and development center outside the US in 1974, the same year Intel acquired its first Oregon site in Aloha.    » read more »

March 06, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - U.S. Senator Barack Obama released the following statement on the Jerusalem seminary attack:

"I strongly condemn this cowardly and outrageous attack. The United States must strongly support Israel's right and capability to defend itself.

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and with the Israeli people who defeat these terrorists every single day that they go about their daily lives."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

04 March 2008 -- The Bush administration Tuesday denied a published report that it covertly sought to oust Hamas from power after the radical group won Palestinian elections in 2006, triggering a Palestinian civil conflict a year later. The State Department says Hamas itself provoked the fighting that left it in control of Gaza.

Officials here are rejecting, in unusually strong terms, a U.S. magazine report claiming the Bush administration tried to organize the armed overthrow of Hamas, after the militant Islamic group took over the Palestinian government after 2006 elections.    » read more »

3/2/2008 -- "I deplore and condemn the Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel, including the city of Ashkelon. Israel has the right to defend its citizens.

"I regret the civilian loss of life and casualties on both sides that this provocative action has caused.

"I call on Hamas to stop this irresponsible aggression immediately, which would enable Israeli and Palestinian civilians to return to normal life.    » read more »

26 January 2008 -- After two years of almost complete isolation, the people of the Gaza Strip breached the iron wall along the border with Egypt, pouring over the border to seek basic supplies, receive needed health care, and some said, to "breathe a breath of freedom." Although Egypt seems poised to close the border again, most Gazans are giving Hamas credit for relieving their misery, even if the relief is temporary.    » read more »

23 January 2008 -- Thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip poured into an Egyptian border town, early Wednesday, after militants blew a large hole in the border wall overnight that separates Gaza from Egypt.

A huge explosion signaled the latest development in the week-old Gaza crisis. Militants blew a large hole in the high metal wall that separates the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip from Egypt and Palestinians crossed into Egypt by the thousands.    » read more »

January 10, 2008 -- MR. JOHNDROE: Good evening. This will be a on-the-record briefing by National Security Advisor Steve Hadley on the President's last two days here and on his statement just concluded.

MR. HADLEY: Just let me recap the day a little bit. The President's day began with a meeting with Bebe Netanyahu, leader of the opposition. It was a private meeting. The two have obviously met before and it was an opportunity for them to talk about the opportunities here for peace.    » read more »

08 January 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush is headed to the Middle East for a nine-day visit to press the peace process and to try to convince his Arab allies that Iran remains a threat to regional security. But the U.S. leader will be greeted by widespread skepticism in the Arab world, where public opinion polls show he remains unpopular.

President Bush's visit to the Middle East comes amid waves of criticism and rancor from the Arab press. Newspaper columnists note the push for Middle East peace has not begun until the final year of the president's two terms in office.    » read more »

January 9, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: President Peres and Prime Minister Olmert, I thank you for your warm welcome. You know, it's been nearly a decade since I've been in Israel. I've really been looking forward to coming back. Truth of the matter is, when I was here last time, I really didn't think I'd be coming back as President of the United States. But I knew I'd come back, because Israel is a special place. And it's a great honor to make my first visit as the President of the United States. Thank you all for coming out to welcome me.    » read more »

Says Measure of Success for Annapolis Lies in Continued Effort

November 27, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today:

“I welcome today's announcement by Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas that they have set a goal of reaching a peace agreement by the end of 2008. I also am pleased that the two sides have agreed to an active American role in monitoring performance on their commitments under the road map.    » read more »

November 26, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement today on the eve of the Annapolis Middle East Conference:

“The Annapolis Conference offers hope: the hope of re-starting a stalled peace process, transforming the lives of Israelis and Palestinians for the better and securing American interests in the Middle East and beyond. I commend Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas for their personal courage in pushing ahead in the face of serious threats from extremists.    » read more »