[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 19 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[Pages 700-701]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel

May 14, 2008

    Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Olmert, thank you very 
much for your warm welcome. It's good to be back again. We're proud to 
reaffirm the friendship of our peoples, and we're delighted to join you 
in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.
    Our two nations both faced great challenges when they were founded, 
and our two

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nations have both relied on the same principles to help us succeed. 
We've built strong democracies to protect the freedoms given to us by an 
Almighty God. We've welcomed immigrants who've helped us thrive. We've 
built prosperous economies by rewarding innovation and risk-taking and 
trade. And we've built an enduring alliance to confront terrorists and 
tyrants.
    Americans and Israelis can be proud of our past, and the best way to 
honor our founders is to continue the work they started. Tomorrow I'm 
going to address the members of the Knesset and the people of Israel. I 
look forward to discussing how I believe our two nations can continue to 
advance our ideals and approach our next 60 years of partnership with 
confidence and with hope.
    Laura and I appreciate your invitation, your kind invitation to 
share these days of celebration with you. We consider the Holy Land a 
very special place, and we consider the Israeli people our close 
friends.
    Shalom.

Note: The President spoke at 11:32 a.m. at Ben Gurion International 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to President Shimon Peres and Prime 
Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel; and Aliza Olmert, wife of Prime Minister 
Olmert. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
also included the remarks of President Peres and Prime Minister Olmert.