President Bush hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House on Thursday. Bush said he could offer no commitments on any key issues but said he is still committed to his “vision” for a peace deal.

President Bush: “As you know, I’ve got four more months left in office, and I’m hopeful that the vision that you and I have worked on can come to pass. And my only
pledge to you is that I’ll continue to work hard to see that it can come to pass. And so, I welcome you back, and I think it’s safe for me to say I welcome you back, my friend.”

Bush has repeatedly offered statements on reaching a “framework” and “vision” on a peace deal but has refused to address any significant issues. Some Palestinians have criticized the Abbas-led government for even meeting with Bush as he continues to support Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.