WASHINGTON, D.C. (JNS.org) — White House officials said Tuesday that President Barack Obama, whose relationship with Israel routinely garners attention due to his reported tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, plans to visit the Jewish state this spring. A specific date for Obama’s trip, which will also include Jordan, was not announced.
“The start of the president’s second term and the formation of a new Israeli government offer the opportunity to reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel and to discuss the way forward on a broad range of issues of mutual concern, including Iran and Syria,” National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
Obama, who visited Israel when he ran for president in 2008 but has not yet visited while in office, decided to take this trip following a Jan. 28 phone conversation with Netanyahu, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) said in a statement Tuesday that it is “thrilled to learn” of Obama’s visit.
“We are proud of the President’s unprecedentedly pro-Israel record and this upcoming trip will provide President Obama with yet another opportunity to affirm the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel,” NJDC Chair Marc R. Stanley said.
Obama’s announcement comes at a time when his administration has come under fire in the pro-Israel community for the nomination (and expected confirmation) of former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense.
Hagel, who infamously referenced the “Jewish lobby” in 2008 when speaking to former Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller, currently chairs the Atlantic Council think tank—which in December published a column titled “Israel’s Apartheid Policy” as well as a policy paper predicting that Iran “should be viewed as a potential natural partner” for the U.S. Additionally, fHagel, as a senator, did not sign various pro-Israel letters backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), but did sign a 2009 letter asking Obama to directly negotiate with Hamas.
Obama and Netanyahu have disagreed on setting a “red line” that if crossed would prompt U.S. military action against Iran over its nuclear program—Obama has thus far resisted Netanyahu’s calls for a red line, calling those calls “noise” in an interview with the CBS program “60 Minutes” last year.
Last September, Obama reportedly rejected a meeting Netanyahu had requested with him when the prime minister visited the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly. The White House, at the time, denied that report.
NJDC’s Stanley also noted new Secretary of State John Kerry’s plans to visit Israel in the coming weeks, and commended both Kerry and Obama “for placing Israel and its security needs at the top of the Administration’s foreign policy agenda for President Obama’s second term.”
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Other reaction:
Americans for Peace Now: APN’s President and CEO Debra DeLee said: “Upon his swearing in for a second term in office, we called on President Obama to travel to Israel promptly to re-launch peace efforts. We are delighted that he has decided to do just that and without delay. The President has proven his remarkable ability to connect with people. On his visit, President Obama will have the opportunity to directly address the people of Israel and lay out a compassionate, pragmatic vision for a future Israel that enjoys security and peace, and that is a respected member of the community of nations. We are confident in his ability to win over Israelis’ hearts and minds. President Obama should reassure Israelis that his administration will back his vision of a future secure and peaceful Israel with resolute leadership and concrete actions. He should make clear that peace between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors, as well as regional peace, are key US national security interests. He should set the table for a resumption of credible, serious peace talks as soon as possible, making clear that he and his administration are fully invested in the issue and that Secretary Kerry has the backing of the President moving forward. We are delighted that the President has chosen this auspicious moment to visit Israel. We will be gratified to see him use this opportunity to the fullest to advance the peace and security that Israelis and Palestinians yearn for and deserve.”