Welcome George W. Bush!

As you all know (I hope) George W. Bush will be visiting Israel tomorrow. Considering the welcome Jerry Seinfeld received, one would expect Israel to do something really drastic for this visit – along the lines of painting the Kotel red, white and blue and having Bush’s face engraved on the wall. Well, they are not going that far, but they are definitely laying out the red carpet for him. Bush will be staying in a $2,600 suite at the King David (the entourage will be taking up the rest of the hotel), $400,000 is being allocated to clean the streets and walls of Jerusalem, the lights of the Old City will stay on longer, and more than 10,500 policemen (1/3 of the entire Israeli police force) will be deployed to protect Bush. It is estimated that it will cost Israel over $25,000 for every hour that Bush is in the country.

Worth it? You bet!

Bush has been the strongest supporter of Israel EVER. All of Israel’s problems have been due to our own government, not America’s. Bush has given full support to Israel and the Israeli government and we blew it.

“"He hasn't put pressure on this country to make concessions," said Michael Oren, a senior fellow at Shalem Center, a Jerusalem research institution. "The almost limitless latitude he gave Israel in countering terror was instrumental in aiding us to survive years of suicide bombings to reach a point where we had just seven terrorism fatalities last year.""

It is unfortunate that many of the articles in the press have been about how to get Bush’s attention focused on Pollard while he is here and how they are going to protest other issues. The goal of Israel during this visit should be to welcome Bush and thank him for all of his support over the last 7 years. First off, and most importantly, we owe him the hakarat hatov. This is reason enough to support him. Secondly, and he would deserve a big welcoming based just off the first reason, it is a great motivator for him to continue to help Israel. What kind of motivation is it for him if he comes and everyone protests policies? Don’t you think he is more likely to support people that he feels welcomed and supported by?

One blogger recently wrote:
“I personally like George W. Bush. I think he is a sincere person, a serious person, a good person and a real and down to earth guy who has the best intentions. In contrast to the portrayal made by his opponents, he is not some simple-minded fool being led by dark forces in his administration nor is he some evil, calculating dictator bent on power and destruction. He has reinstated America as a military might in the world and his policies have led to reforms of one kind or another in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and North Korea. He led the country out of a bleak economic situation and a devastating terrorist attack into a strong, vibrant economic machine, no longer content with the status quo in how we handled our enemies.”

I agree.

“What's so great about George W. Bush? His patriotism, his resolve, his principles, his steadfastness, his belief in America, his optimism, his refusal to get in the gutter...
Character is king. Again.”