US President arrives in Israel

US President George W. Bush has arrived in Israel, starting his three-day visit to the Jewish state for its 60th anniversary. He says he will make a new push for peace deal in the Middle East.

The U.S. president was greeted at Ben-Gurion international airport by the Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

In comments at the airport, both Peres and Olmert warmly praised Bush for strengthening the long-standing ties between Israel and the United States.

Ehud Olmert, Israeli PM, said, "Your decision to celebrate this historic milestone with us is an extraordinary gesture of friendship and it's further evidence of your unending commitment to the security and well-being of our country."

Bush has expressed some optimism that an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement might be struck before his term ends next January while holding out little hope for a major breakthrough during this trip.

Israel has imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip during Bush's visit, preventing Palestinians from entering Israeli territory.

Palestinian youths marched in the streets in the West Bank on Wednesday as Bush arrived. In Ramallah, Palestinian youths confronted Israeli soldiers manning the Qalandya terminal crossing, which separates northern Jerusalem from the West Bank.

After Israel, Bush will go to Saudi Arabia where he promises to press King Abdullah to increase oil production to ease soaring costs for consumers. Bush made a similar plea in January but it was ignored.