A soldier prays at the Western Wall, holiest of sites for Judaism, in a plaza guarded by sentries with metal and bomb detectors. Photos by Mark Silva.
by Mark Silva
JERUSALEM – Walking the Via Dolorosa and following the many Stations of the Cross leading to the site of the crucifixion of Jesus, pausing at the Western “Wailing” Wall of the temple destroyed at the site of the Dome of the Rock, and encircling the tiled mosque, one begins to appreciate the inexorable conflict of three great religions claiming the same sacred site.
On this high ground overlooking three valleys occupied since 5,000 years before the birth of Christ, conquered and lost many times over through the centuries, with the Israelites exiled and repatriated time and again, President Bush arrived today to meet, separately, with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the hope of spurring peace talks.
Air Force One landed at a sunny and mild Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv just before noon local time, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rolled out a long red carpet to the big blue bird. Bush descended the stairs alone and greeted his hosts.
“Good to see you, sir,’’ Bush said. “Yessir, good to be here.’’
Bush, chuckling, strolled along the carpet flanked by his smiling hosts.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,’’ Bush said to one of the well-wishers who greeted him in the reception line at the end of the carpet.
The Western Wall of the temple destroyed in the year 70. The Dome of the Rock, built in 691, stands above the wall.
Inside the old walled city.
Bush traveled to Jerusalem by helicopter for the first of his meetings today, followed by a joint press conference with Olmert at his residence.
“Mr. President, we welcome you to Israel,’’ President Shimon Peres said at the welcoming ceremony in Tel Aviv. “You pave the road of peace.
“Indeed the next 12 months will be a moment of truth. It must not yield just words,’’ Peres said.
Olmert said: “The bond between the state of Israel and the United States of America is unshakable… It is based on the most fundamental common ideals of freedom and democracy… From the very beginning, your policies have reflected a basic understanding of the challenges facing Israel… and a solid commitment to our national security.’’
The Jaffa Gate of the old city, its external and internal portals lined up at 90 degrees to thwart the assault of attackers pummelling the doors with battering rams.
Bush, who last traveled here as governor of Texas in 1998 and is making his first visit as president, told his hosts on the sun-splashed tarmac: “It’s been nearly a decade since I’ve been in Israel and I’ve really been looking forward to coming back.. The truth is, when I was here last time I really didn’t think I’d be coming back as president of the United States, but I knew I’d be coming back, because Israel is a special place.
“The United States and Israel are strong allies,’’ Bush said. “The source of that strength is a shared belief in the power of human freedom.
“Working the lines here, one of the religious leaders said, ‘Remember, Mr. President, justice and love,’’’ Bush said. “We will do more than defend ourselves. We seek lasting peace. We see a new opportunity for peace here in the Holy Land and freedom across the region.’’
The walled city of old Jerusalem, its own ramparts torn down by invaders and reconstructed by occupiers, sits on ground shared by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Armenians within a square mile of concentrated history on consecrated grounds. Thirty-five thousand live within.
Dome of the Rock
From the plaza surrounding the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site for Islam after Mecca and Medina, one has a close view of the Mount of Olives, rising 2,500 feet above sea level. The Dead Sea sits 1,300 feet below.
Excavations reveal the columns that lined old Roman roadways beneath the city which Rome conquered before the birth of Christ.
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Comments
Awesome photos...
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 9, 2008 6:49 AM
Mark,
Wonderful photos; thanks!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | January 9, 2008 7:10 AM
We need to pray for the peace of Israel. And that President Bush will understand that G_d gave this land to the Jewish people. We are blessed when we love His people and protect them from their enemies. And when HE appears, the truth will be known! Keep looking up.
Posted by: Lana Dee | January 9, 2008 7:18 AM
WE ALSO HAVE TO PRAY FOR PEACE IN THE LAND OF LEBANON AND AMONG THE PALESTINIANS. WE MUST PRAY THAT THE ISRAELIS WILL WAKE TO THE NEED TO SHOW FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE TO THE PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS (BOTH CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM) WHO LIVE AS THEIR NEIGHBORS.
Posted by: THOMAS | January 9, 2008 8:42 AM
I am praying for peace for all the people of the region. Until every child of the region, regardless of parentage or faith, can grow up in a secure, enlightened and safe environment, peace is just a word.
Posted by: JJ | January 9, 2008 9:17 AM
What a moron. Smirking and chuckling, and the usual stupid, simplistic, meaningless proclamations. "We have work to do" "Israel is special" What an embarassment he is.
Posted by: abc | January 9, 2008 10:59 AM
"The walled city of old Jerusalem, its own ramparts torn down by invaders and reconstructed by occupiers, sits on ground shared by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Armenians within a square mile of concentrated history on consecrated grounds. Thirty-five thousand live within."
This calls for a non-conventional political solution. I can license the best idea ever: This part of Jerusalem should be proclaimed a Free International City and excluded from Israeli, Palestinian or any other state.
If more in depth discussion needed, please have Ms. Rice or Mr. Bush call me.
Posted by: Gene | January 9, 2008 11:04 AM
Terrific photos-
I hope for a day when all people religious or otherwise place simple moral virtue and responsiblity ahead of mystical promises-otherwise we are doomed.
Posted by: JCA | January 9, 2008 11:18 AM
Terrific photos-
I hope for a day when all people religious or otherwise place simple moral virtue and responsiblity ahead of mystical promises-otherwise we are doomed.
Posted by: JCA | January 9, 2008 11:18 AM
Christians, Moslems and Jews have been able to pray at their holy sites in Jerusalem under which of the following:
A. Jordanian rule from the end of the British Mandate until 1967 (note this was never Palestinian controlled land); or
B. Israeli rule since 1967. Note that Jews have lived continuously in Jerusalem since the time of King David. Archeological digs have proved it.
Answer: B. Ask the millions of Moslem, Jewish and Christian visitors since 1967. Ask the thousands of Moselms who gather at the Dome of the Rock Mosque on Fridays, or the thousands of Jews who visit the Western Wall or the thousands of Christian who walk the Stations of the Cross. I am for freedom to worship in the Holy Land regardless of faith. That freedom has come with Israel.
Pray for Jerusalem.
Posted by: Larry | January 9, 2008 11:37 AM
Bush has a lot of nerve as does the toady in Israel when they call for peace and freedom. What hypocrites they both are. israel should never have been granted diplomatic status given to Nations in the first place and we now see that it's just an ally who wants to control the ME with US help and money.
ISRAEL DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST.
Posted by: Lamartrotti | January 9, 2008 12:00 PM
Well, I can see praying for peace, I guess. It doesn't cost anything at all, and it's certainly worth its cost in results. Otherwise, my take on this story is "WE have a lot of work to do?? THEY have a lot of work to do!"
Posted by: Op109 | January 9, 2008 12:20 PM
Shame on abc for his post. President Bush is the President of the United States and deserves our support when abroad representing our country. I pray for his safety while there, and also pray for his safe return. If this trip helps inch peace forward even a tiny bit, we will be better off than we were before this trip began...
Posted by: Roy Felty | January 9, 2008 1:33 PM
Contrary to what poster Lamartrotti spouts, the Balfour Agreement and subsequent United Nations decrees point otherwise, that Israel DOES indeed have a right to exist.
Posted by: SteveH | January 9, 2008 1:42 PM
Bush, like Israel, doesn't deserve anyone's support. They are both a slap in the face of democracy.
Posted by: martha washington | January 9, 2008 2:22 PM
Shame? It's Bush that should be ashamed. He has ruined this country's reputation around the globe and deserves nothing but scorn. I truly hope praying works out for you; religion has been the CAUSE of all of the warfare in the middle east. Bush's trip will have no effect on anything.
Posted by: abc | January 9, 2008 2:23 PM
George "Style Over Substance" Bush in Israel:
"We've got a lot of work to do..."
"...and now that my power in office is almost completely marginalized at home, maybe I really should be getting a start on SOMETHING positive in the Middle East."
Rev. William Hayashi
Posted by: William Hayashi | January 9, 2008 2:37 PM
We need to pray for the peace of Israel. And that President Bush will understand that G_d gave this land to the Jewish people. We are blessed when we love His people and protect them from their enemies. And when HE appears, the truth will be known! Keep looking up.
Posted by: Lana Dee | January 9, 2008 7:18 AM
What arrogance! "His people?" So what is the rest of humanity? That's the problem - Jews who think like you remind me of the Nazis in Germany who thought the Aryan race was the "select", and that the Jews were expendable. Aren't you the other side of the same coin - you believe that the Palestinians are expendable as long as the Jews get "their land" because they are "the chosen" of God. Believe me, God does not discriminate, and eventually the injustices and the tyranny of Zionism will be addressed by Him in stellar fashion. The Holy Land is for all faiths, not just your distorted self-righteous, "holier than thou" view of "His people".
How dare you pretend to speak for God?
Posted by: the truth | January 9, 2008 2:46 PM
It is a shame that time and time again groups of palestinians find creative ways to pursue acts of terror, instead of push for peace. if the the funds they get given were channelled into worthy causes, the palestinians and israelis would happily co-exist and walk the streets of this incredible city side by side. the angry ruin it for all
Posted by: mel | January 10, 2008 4:31 AM