by Shlomo Cesana, Yoni Hirsch, Yori Yalon, Israel Hayom Staff and Reuters
Senior Israeli diplomatic officials say that while a peace plan isn't on U.S. President Barack Obama's agenda during his trip to Israel this week, the American president wants to renew the peace process, a task he has given to John Kerry, his secretary of state.
The red carpet has been
rolled out at President Shimon Peres' residence in Jerusalem for Obama's
visit.
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Photo credit: Lior Mizrahi |
U.S. President Barack Obama has said that he
doesn't plan to bring a peace plan with him during his trip to Israel
and the Palestinian Authority this week, but rather that he will listen
to both sides. However, senior Israeli diplomatic officials say that
while a peace plan isn't on Obama's agenda for the trip, it is clear
that the American president wants to renew the Israel-Palestinian peace
process, a task he has given to John Kerry, his secretary of state.
Kerry is expected to land in Israel on Tuesday
night ahead of Obama's arrival on Wednesday. Kerry will accompany Obama
during the president's two-day trip to Israel and go with the president
to Jordan on Friday. Kerry will return to Israel on Saturday night for
further meetings.
Kerry has scheduled meetings with leaders throughout the region in the near future.
The assessment in Jerusalem, as conveyed by a
senior government source, is that Obama is bringing the carrot, and that
Kerry will return with the stick.
On Monday, Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman tried to dampen expectations for progress in the peace process.
On Monday, Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman tried to dampen expectations for progress in the peace process.
"I think that in the next four years nothing will happen on the Palestinian issue," Lieberman said.
Ahead of Obama's visit, a Washington Post-ABC
News poll found that 69 percent of Americans think the U.S. government
shouldn't take a leading role in resolving the Israel-Palestinian
conflict.
On Monday, a White House spokesman attempted
to brush off criticism that Obama will not speak before the Knesset.
Instead, Obama will address a crowd of Israeli students at the
International Convention Center in Jerusalem on Thursday.
"We're speaking to — the president will speak
to all of the Israeli people, in front of an audience of young Israelis
who have it within their hands the power to shape Israel's future, and
he thinks that's entirely appropriate," Jay Carney said. "And he will be
meeting with Israeli officials and government officials, of course, and
the president's message will be heard by Israelis who are both members
of the Knesset and who are not."
Meanwhile, a rally calling for the U.S. to
release convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard was expected to be held
on Tuesday evening outside President Shimon Peres' residence in
Jerusalem. Pollard's wife Esther was set to attend, accompanied by a
number of public figures.
Shlomo Cesana, Yoni Hirsch, Yori Yalon, Israel Hayom Staff and Reuters
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=8077
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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