Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate John McCain was in Israel Wednesday meeting with top government and opposition leaders.

Sen. John McCain: “We all appreciate the fact that events in the Middle East are not disconnected. What happens in Iraq happens — affects events in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and even throughout the region. So I’m happy to report to you that there has been success in Iraq, even though it is certainly not completed. Al-Qaeda is on the run; they are not defeated. But we have seen a significant turnaround and success as a result of the new
strategy.”

McCain has refused to meet with Palestinians during his trip to Israel.