After turning out the lights for Bush, Israel turns up the 'hip hop'

President George W. Bush's first visit to Israel has been notable for both its unprecedented level of security -- said to be costing $25,000 an hour -- and ceremonial moments marked by a zeal for perfect planning.

The lights in the Old City of Jerusalem were even turned out so Bush could enjoy a picture-perfect sunrise from his $2600-a-night suite in the King David Hotel.

During a ceremony at Israeli President Shimon Peres' official residence, Bush was welcomed by schoolchildren waving US and Israeli flags and singing a pop-styled medley of "Hava Nagila" and "Sholem Aleichem." The two men then moved to another room, where Bush signed a visitor's book and they were serenaded by a girl singing "Over the Rainbow" in Hebrew and English. A folk dance by performers in Russian outfits completed the welcome.

While one press account labeled the newer version of "Hava Nagila" as "a hip hop version," another media outlet 'potato-potatoed' it as "disco."

One thing's for sure, although he could be seen swaying slightly to the music, Bush appeared less carried away than he did on last year's visit to Brazil, when a samba number possessed him to hit the dance floor and 'get jiggy' with his wife, children and Secretary of State.



This video is from NBC News, broadcast January 9, 2008.









