Jerusalem
On her first solo trip abroad representing the U.S., Laura Bush last week was heckled and jeered both by Israelis and by Palestinians. At the Jewish holy site of the Western Wall, Israeli protesters called for the release of Jonathan Pollard, an American convicted of spying for Israel. Protests were more raucous at a mosque at the Dome of the Rock, where Palestinians shouted, “Why is your husband killing Muslims?” Throngs pressed so closely around the first lady that her Secret Service guards had to link arms and form a human barrier. Bush said such passion was to be expected. “These are some of the most holy places,” she said. “Emotions always run high.” She spent most of her Mideast trip speaking about women’s rights and encouraging Arab women to be politically active.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Local elections 2026: where are they and who is expected to win?The Explainer Labour is braced for heavy losses and U-turn on postponing some council elections hasn’t helped the party’s prospects
-
6 of the world’s most accessible destinationsThe Week Recommends Experience all of Berlin, Singapore and Sydney
-
How the FCC’s ‘equal time’ rule worksIn the Spotlight The law is at the heart of the Colbert-CBS conflict
