Germany's leftwing newspaper die tageszeitung wrote that Bush hasn't just ignored the Middle East conflict during his time in office, as many things. "He's changed a lot of things," wrote the daily. "He's turned away from the long accepted international consensus that all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal. When Bush talks about the illegal settlements in the West Bank, it means that the US have practically accepted the large, strategic Israeli settlement blocs in the occupied territories. Bush brags that he's the first US president to talk about a two-state solution. In reality, he's only paved the way for Israel's homeland system."

Mass-circulation tabloid Bild asked. "Is there a chance for peace in the Holy Land? Many self-proclaimed peacemakers have landed in the Middle East with much ado and left quietly. George W. Bush also won't be able to solve the Mideast conflict during his remaining time in office. But his trip is not for nothing. Bush is making a statement with his visit that's understood in the region. When the lion is away, the hyenas dance, goes and old Arab saying. That's why the presence of the US president in Israel's capital alone is a clear message to those who bank on chaos and violence. The message is: The global superpower USA is and remains the guarantor for Israel's right to exist.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung in Munich meanwhile applauded Bush's newfound attention and said that Israel also had to make concessions now: "Bush shows that he's become sensitive as far as these problems are concerned. Now he has to stay the course and remain steadfast in demanding painful political concessions from the Israelis."

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung pointed out that it was extremely unlikely that an agreement could be made by the end of the year. "Imagining the American president being welcomed by the radical Hamas in the Gaza Strip exposes the boldness of the plan."

Others agreed that it will be hard for Bush to bring Israelis and Palestinians together. Die Welt in Berlin welcomed Bush's "final spurt to peace" and applauded the US president for criticizing both sides. "At the same time, he's made it clear that Israelis are right to worry whether a future Palestinian state will become a peaceful neighbor."