Yes, that's the way they are reporting it in the press. United States President George Bush is planning to visit the Middle East from January 9 to 11, for what will be his first trip to Israel since becoming President in 2001. His last visit was in 1988, then as governor of the state of Texas. His trip comes as the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams will be commencing final status talks on the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem. At the Annapolis peace conference last month, the US had promised to adjudicate on the implementation of the Roadmap to Peace document, which calls for the creation of a Palestinian state with limited sovereignty following the disarming of terrorist groups and the freezing of Jewish settlements. Arab leaders have praised President Bush's decision to visit the Middle East in person, claiming it will boost US credibility in showing it is committed to a peaceful solution of the Israeli-Arab conflict. 

Quote: "Senior Abbas aide Saeb Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio that Bush's visit would take place between January 9 and January 11, following a trip to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on December 19. In Washington, a White House spokesman would not confirm the dates.

I find it extremely interesting that the media should use that date format "9 to 11". Surely to use the phrase "9 to 11" would conjure up images of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the minds of most Americans? Is it a mere coincidence? Perhaps. Is it prophetically significant? Possibly. A few months ago Christian and Jewish groups were warning President Bush not to become involved in the division of God's land, stating that the US could face worse judgements than that of Hurricane Katrina. Nearly every time US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been in the Middle East, the US has faced a major catastrophe, with the Minneapolis Bridge collapse and the California wildfires. Following the commencement of negotiations on a joint declaration to be presented at Annapolis, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. There is no doubt Bush's visit to the Middle East will be prophetically significant, especially as both sides have agreed they are aiming for a peace agreement by the end of President Bush's term. The Scriptures state that the Lord will seek to destroy every nation that comes against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:9), and it seems if things continue the way they are going, then sadly the US isn't far off that prospect.

Jeremiah 12:14-17
Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

Source Reuters