(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-15 09:46

Arab members of Israel's parliament have said they will stay away in protest when Bush speaks in the Knesset on Thursday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet Bush in Egypt on Saturday. Though Abbas would not echo an Islamist leader who condemned Bush as a "hypocrite", unwelcome in the Holy Land, he and his allies have indicated discomfort with Bush's trip to Israel.

For Olmert, Bush's visit has provided a distraction from an investigation into his finances that has threatened his survival in office -- and, with it, Bush's hopes for a deal this year.

Olmert has this week been talking up his achievements in the negotiations with Abbas. On Wednesday, he spoke of "progress ... which we believe, with continued dedication and labour, will come to fruition, hopefully ... within this year, the year 2008".

Echoing speeches from Israeli President Shimon Peres and Jewish American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, Olmert told an audience of Israelis, Americans and international dignitaries, that Bush had distinguished himself by his support for Israel.

"Israel is stronger and safer because we look to the future and we know the United States of America will always remain our closest and most dependable ally," Olmert said.

Warm ties

Bush hailed his predecessor Harry Truman's decision to recognise the state of Israel 60 years ago, even though Arabs had rejected a UN plan to establish Jewish and Arab states in Palestine. Speakers during an evening that included music and dance, recalled US military assistance to Israel since then.

Bush called Israel's founding a "marvellous story" during which Jews "never lost sight of Jerusalem".

"It is a story of how brave pioneers risked everything to redeem the promise of this land," he said.

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