Obama plans visits to Israel and West Bank

WASHINGTON - Agence France-Presse

Israeli media earlier reported that the visit would begin in March 20. AP photo

President Barack Obama plans to make his first visit to Israel as a US leader in the coming months, the White House said Tuesday.

Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the prospect of a visit in a telephone call late last month, but the White House said that it was not ready yet to name a date or offer further details.

"When the president spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu on January 28, they discussed a visit by the president to Israel in the spring," said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor.

"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.

"Additional details about the trip -- including the dates of travel -- will be released at a later time." Israeli media earlier reported that the visit would begin in March 20.

West Bank visit also on the agenda
Obama will also stop in the West Bank and Jordan on his trip to the Middle East, the White House said.
Officials who had earlier disclosed Obama would visit Israel this Spring have later confirmed that the trip would also involve travel to Jordan and the Palestinian territories.