Olmert and Bush at child clinic
Photo: Reuters
Laura Bush, Aliza Olmert tour Jerusalem
First ladies tour Western Wall Tunnel, child health clinic. At Hand in Hand elementary school they receive warm welcome with songs for peace in Hebrew, Arabic
The First Lady of the US, Laura Bush, toured Jerusalem on Wednesday accompanied by Aliza Olmert. The two ladies visited the Tipat Halav child services clinic in Katamon neighborhood, the bilingual Hand in Hand elementary school, and the Western Wall Tunnel.
Upon entering the Tipat Halav clinic, Mrs. Bush smiled as a three-week old boy, Yiftah Rabinowitz, gurgled and wiggled his arms on a changing table. ''What a sweet baby,'' she said, listening in as a nurse spoke to the boy's mother about what to expect in the development of a child that age.
Olmert and Bush visit Hand in Hand School. (Photo: Reuters)
Bush said that ever since her husband became president, she had decided to promote the idea of child and infant health care in order to give the parents more information. Olmert remarked that in her opinion it is important for parents to know how to treat their children in cases of emergency.
Upon their arrival at the elementary school, Olmert and Bush were greeted by the kindergarten children, who sang songs in both Hebrew and Arabic in honor of the visit.
Prior to their arrival the children were asked whether they knew who was scheduled to visit their school, and they answered, "The US president's wife, Laura Bush, and Dalia Itzik, Ehud Olmert's wife."
The children also sang 'Shir Lashalom' (Song for Peace), and gave the first lady a picture they had made. Bush thanked them warmly. Afterwards they met with second and fifth grade students of the school, who performed a dance to Hebrew and Arabic music.
Later the two ladies visited the Old City in Jerusalem, and as they drove on the streets, which had been blocked by security forces in honor of the event, residents gathered to wave hello. Throughout the tour, journalists were prevented from speaking to Olmert and Bush.
The tour ended in the Western Wall Tunnel, where a model of the Second Temple was presented to the two ladies. They also visited a mikveh found in the tunnels, which dates back to the Second Temple period. Bush was seen to smile during most of the tour, and expressed warm thanks.
