Bush and the Middle East Conflict

President Bush is set to renew his commitment to Mideast peace and announce new aid to help the embattled Palestinian president create a viable state that can exist with Israel. Bush, taking on a more personal, high-profile role in the conflict, planned to speak July 16, at the White House about U.S. financial and diplomatic support for President Mahmoud Abbas. He controls just the West Bank after the Islamic militants group Hamas gained authority in Gaza in June.