WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush met Monday with Jewish rabbis and community leaders to mark Hanukkah and discuss current issues, including Israel.
The White House said the group of 20 came from around the country and the round-table meeting in The Roosevelt Room of the White House lasted about a half hour.
Items discussed were not detailed, but spokesman Scott McClellan said earlier that issues such as the stalled Middle East peace process, illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and Israel's controversial security fence could be expected to be raised.
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, began the night of the 19th and commemorates the Israelites driving Syrian occupiers from Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago.
Monday night Bush and the first lady were helping light a ceremonial Menorah at the White House and were attending a Hanukkah reception before leaving for Camp David for the Christmas holiday.
