President George W. Bush visits Israel in the first part of a brief tour of several counties in the Middle East. The visit is intended to reinvigorate the peace process initiated at the summit in Annapolis.

U.S spy angecies declared with "high confidence", that Iran had ceased its nuclear weapons program in 2003. Israeli officials believed that Iran resumed the program in 2005. Bush used the trip to reassure Israel and moderate Arab states, that his administration still views Iran as a nuclear threat.

• The New York Times: "Bush Begins Peace Effort Bonded With Olmert" (January 10, 2008)
• Foreign Policy In Focus: Bush's Israel Problem -- And Ours (January 8, 2008)
  • "if [Bush] is really going to burnish his legacy by moving both sides closer to peace, as the pundits say, he faces enormous problems on both sides..."
• The Telegraph: Bush hailed Israel's 'strongest ally' on visit (January 9, 2008)
  • "Olmert to Bush: ""Your policies have reflected a basic understanding of the challenges facing Israel in this troubled region and a solid commitment to our national security."
• Washington Post: On First Trip to Israel, Bush Hopes to Inject Vigor Into Peace Talks (January 8, 2008)
  • "In the first visit to Israel of his presidency, Bush arrives Wednesday hoping to breathe new life into talks aimed at achieving a final accord by the end of this year. But the president is already scaling back those ambitions, saying now it may be possible to set only the "definition" of a Palestinian state by the time he leaves office."
• Guardian Unlimited: Violence escalates ahead of Bush's Israel visit (January 8, 2008)
  • "Two rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel before dawn today, according to the Israeli military, part of growing violence in the region ahead of a visit by the US president, George Bush."
• Sydney Morning Herald: Israel hiding settlement facts to protect image (January 9, 2008)
• VOA News: Rockets Fired from Lebanon Strike Israel Amid Heightened Security for Bush Visit (January 8, 2008)
• Guardian Unlimited: Bush criticises settlements on Israel visit (January 9, 2008)

• Reuters: Anger, scepticism awaits Bush in Middle East (January 8, 2008)