VIDEO - US President George W. Bush, seeking to pull Israel andthe Palestinians toward serious negotiations, said Wednesday that he comes to Israel with high hopes that a Mideast peace pact can be achieved before he leaves office early next year.
"I come as an optimistic person and a realistic person - realistic in my understanding that it's vital for the world to fight terrorists to confront those who would murder the innocent to achieve political objectives," Bush said as he began his first presidential visit to Israel and launched talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres .
"Time is so precious," Peres said.
Bush was greeted by a children's choir, singing "Hevenu shalom aleichem (peace be upon you)". Bush and Peres shook hands with the children and proceeded to the main hall, for the official reception.
Peres presented Bush with a replica of two antique menorahs, commissioned by the Israel Museum, as well as with a gift made for the First Lady – a replica of an ancient silver pendant engraved with biblical verses.
Bush is trying to build momentum for stalled Mideast peace talks and clear up confusion about whether the United States is serious about confronting Iran about its suspected nuclear ambitions.
The president said both the United States and Israel have been targeted by terrorists, and he compared the battle against extremists to World War II when the US and its allies fought communism.
"I come with high hopes, and the role of the United States will be to foster a vision of peace. The role of the Israeli leadership and the Palestinian leadership is going to do the hard work necessary to define a vision," Bush said.
Peres underscored Bush's hopes - considered unrealistic by many in the Mideast - to bridge decades of differences in just one year and reach agreement for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"The next 12 months will be a moment of truth," Peres told Bush at an airport arrival ceremony complete with red carpets and a military band. "It must not yield just words."