Will Bush Climb Masada?



(image via tvshowsondvd)

There is no question that the President is an enthusiastic -- some might argue overly enthusuastic -- supporter of Israel. In a helicopter tour of the region, he accompanied Ariel Sharon, then the new Israeli foreign minister. From "Lost Years: Bush, Sharon and Failure in the Middle East," by Mark Matthews (via TheWashPo):

They really went very low to show the Jordan River, to show the strategic importance of the ridges overlooking the Jordan River which must be controlled and the narrow waist of the state of Israel,' longtime Sharon aide Raanan Gissin told Matthews. "And the president was very much impressed by the geographical dimensions. 'Gee,' he said. 'I never realized that Israel is so small.'

David Gregory was on The Chris Matthews Show this weekend predicting that The President, in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the state of Israel, might climb Masada. This ties in to a Haaretz report that the President will visit the mountain:

"U.S. President George W. Bush is likely to visit Masada during his visit to Israel next month for Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, U.S. sources said yesterday.

"Organizers of Bush's planned two-and-a-half-day stay said they had been searching for a symbolic location for the president to visit, but wanted to avoid one that might stir controversy like the Western Wall, Golan Heights or Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

"Bush, accompanied by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, would visit the ancient mountaintop fortress where Jewish rebels made their last stand against Roman legionnaires."

Matthews, by the way, is a favorite target of bloggers, but he continually shows good faith by promoting Gregory, who, unofficially, is mentioned as a possible Matthews replacement when the talkers contract expires at NBC.