Bush hosting Israeli leader at ranch
CRAWFORD, Texas President Bush is giving Ariel Sharon full backing today as the Israeli leader gets set to start his controversial Gaza pullout. However, in a meeting at his Texas ranch, the president will press Sharon about plans for expanding a key West Bank settlement.
Bush contends the expansion is barred by his "road map" plan for peace with the Palestinians. He says he'll urge Sharon to "adhere" to the plan.
But Bush will strongly endorse Sharon's plan to end Israel's presence in the Gaza Strip this summer -- and in the process, evict more than nine-thousand Jewish settlers.
Yesterday, Israelis angry over the pullout tried but failed to enter Jerusalem's Temple Mount, known by Muslims as the "Noble Sanctuary".
Tension is also high following Saturday's killing of three Palestinian teens by Israeli troops in Gaza.
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