THIS YEAR IN ISRAEL:

On first trip abroad as governor, Schwarzenegger heads to Israel (MICHAEL R. BLOOD, April 28th, 2004, Associated Press)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the son of a Nazi, will make his first foreign trip since taking office to Israel this weekend to promote a "dialogue of tolerance" at a museum groundbreaking in Jerusalem.

The celebrity governor, who has depicted Nazi atrocities as the darkest chapter in Jewish history, is expected to be in the country for about 24 hours to attend the ceremony for the Simon Wiesenthal Center museum and scout for business opportunities for California's ailing economy.

He also plans to meet with Israeli government leaders, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. No talks were scheduled with Palestinian officials, the governor's office said.

He is one canny politician.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 1, 2004 7:45 AM