US President George Bush is travelling to Israel to take part in celebrations for the country's 60th anniversary.
US President George Bush has arrived in Israel to take part in celebrations for the country's 60th anniversary.
He also hopes to inject some momentum into the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
He also hopes to inject some momentum into the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
In a BBC interview ahead of his trip the US president said the current status quo between the Israelis and Palestinians was unacceptable.
In a BBC interview ahead of his trip the US president said the current status quo between the Israelis and Palestinians was unacceptable.
He said he would urge the two sides to reach agreement on a future Palestinian state by the end of the year.
He said he would urge the two sides to reach agreement on a future Palestinian state by the end of the year.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday that reaching such a deal within the next eight months "might be improbable but it's not impossible".
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Tuesday that reaching such a deal within the next eight months "might be improbable but it's not impossible".
President Bush will arrive in Jerusalem 60 years to the day after Israel declared independence. His five-day trip will also include visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
President Bush arrived in Jerusalem 60 years to the day after Israel declared independence. His five-day trip will also include visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
'Serious blow'
'Serious blow'
The BBC's Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says there is deep concern among diplomats that the current peace process is going neither far enough nor fast enough.
The BBC's Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says there is deep concern among diplomats that the current peace process is going neither far enough nor fast enough.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, in his role as international envoy to the Middle East, has announced that he has negotiated with Israel an easing of some travel restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank, along with projects aimed at economic regeneration.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, in his role as international envoy to the Middle East, has announced that he has negotiated with Israel an easing of some travel restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank, along with projects aimed at economic regeneration.
But in an interview with the BBC Mr Blair acknowledged that there was not a great deal of time for progress to be seen on the ground.
But in an interview with the BBC Mr Blair acknowledged that there was not a great deal of time for progress to be seen on the ground.
"If we haven't noticed a substantial difference within the next few months, it would be a serious blow," Mr Blair said.
"If we haven't noticed a substantial difference within the next few months, it would be a serious blow," Mr Blair said.
President Bush has said that he believes a full peace deal is possible by the time he leaves office, in January next year.
President Bush has said that he believes a full peace deal is possible by the time he leaves office, in January next year.
"The vision of a (Palestinian) state is such a powerful notion and such an important notion for Israel's very existence, that I do believe that we have a chance to get something defined," Mr Bush told reporters on the eve of the trip.
"The vision of a (Palestinian) state is such a powerful notion and such an important notion for Israel's very existence, that I do believe that we have a chance to get something defined," Mr Bush told reporters on the eve of the trip.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that with the Palestinians still politically divided and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert weakened by allegations of corruption this is not an auspicious moment for Mr Bush to be trying to make bold steps in the interests of peace.
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that with the Palestinians still politically divided and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert weakened by allegations of corruption this is not an auspicious moment for Mr Bush to be trying to make bold steps in the interests of peace.
Our correspondent adds that the instability in Lebanon underscores the question marks surrounding the Bush administration's policies in the region.
Our correspondent adds that the instability in Lebanon underscores the question marks surrounding the Bush administration's policies in the region.
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What do you think President Bush's visit to Israel will achieve? Will it boost peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians? Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below?
What do you think President Bush's visit to Israel will achieve? Will it boost peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians? Are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below?
