Bush visits Israel to push for War with Iran. Halliburton hasn't raked in enough tax dollars from Iraq.

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Unpopular at home, Bush was greeted here with smiles and warm handshakes.

"You are our strongest and most trusted ally in the battle against terrorism and fundamentalism and a staunch supporter of our quest for peace and stability," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the president.

Bush also stressed the deep U.S.-Israel ties.

"The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state," Bush said.

That remark lent support to Israel on one of the core issues in the conflict. The Palestinians oppose calling Israel a Jewish state, saying it rules out the right of Palestinian refugees to return to lost properties in Israel. They say the fate of the refugees is a matter for negotiations. Bush has referred to Israel as Jewish state in the past but the reference — here in the region — had special significance.

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