(Jerusalem Post) Janine Zacharia - President George Bush expressed general support for the prospect of a fresh U.S. aid package to Israel at a meeting with American Jewish leaders Wednesday. Israel has asked the Bush administration for roughly $4 billion in new direct assistance and $8-10b. in loan guarantees to cope with a burgeoning economic crisis and costs related to a U.S.-led war with Iraq. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive director of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said Bush "indicated support" for the request and said the administration was looking into it. Bush said he "understood the pressure on Israel" and that U.S. officials were "examining ways to give support." Bush stressed that his June 24 Middle East speech remains the cornerstone of his Middle East policy. After the meeting, Bush hosted a Hanukkah party at the White House for roughly 200 Jewish leaders. The hanukkia was lit by Daniella, 12, and Alexandra, 15, who lost their father, Victor Wald, in the attack on the World Trade Center. "The spirit of those early patriots lives in the lives of the State of Israel and throughout the Jewish community, and among all brave people who fight violence and terror," Bush said, recalling the ancient Maccabees of the Hanukkah story.
2002-12-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive