Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington, D.C. where
he called again for the resumption of peace negotiations with
Palestinians.
Speaking Monday before an annual meeting of the Jewish Federations of
North America, Mr. Netanyahu said talks should begin immediately. He
said it is his goal to achieve a permanent peace treaty between Israel
and the Palestinians.
The Israeli prime minister is scheduled to meet later Monday with U.S. President Barack Obama.
White House officials said the leaders will hold talks, but will not appear together before the White House press corps.
The Obama administration has been trying for months to revive peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
U.S.-Israeli relations have been strained since Mr. Netanyahu rejected
President Obama's demand to halt construction of Jewish settlements in
the occupied West Bank.
Mr. Obama canceled a speech he had planned to make to the North
American Jewish leaders' gathering Tuesday, since he will be traveling
to a memorial service in (the southern U.S. state of) Texas for the victims of last week's deadly shooting at the Fort Hood military base.
The Jewish Federations of North America says White House Chief of Staff
Rahm Emanuel will address the forum in place of the president.