U-S President George W. Bush says he's in the Middle East with high hopes that a peace agreement could be achieved before he leaves office at the end of the year. Bush arrived in Israel Wednesday afternoon, for a visit that will seek to advance peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, following on from the U.S.-hosted summit in Annapolis last November. He also underscored Washington's support for Israel - saying "The alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state."