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Obama, Israeli Leaders Hail Alliance

by Dan Robinson March 20, 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli leaders have reaffirmed the strength of the U.S. - Israel security relationship. Obama arrived in Israel Wednesday afternoon, beginning a four-day Middle East trip and discussions about Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, the civil war in Syria, and Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Obama received a full ceremonial welcome at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, embracing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, and reviewing a military honor guard.

'Across this region, the winds of change bring both promise and peril. So I see this visit as an opportunity, to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our nations, to re-state America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security, and to speak directly to the people of Israel and to your neighbors,' President Obama said, explaining why he made Israel the first stop of the first overseas trip of his second term.

​​Prime Minister Netanyahu said the need for the U.S.-Israel alliance is greater than ever amid unpredictable changes in the Middle East, adding Israel continues to seek peace with Palestinians.

'In an unstable and uncertain Middle East, the need for our alliance is greater than ever,' Netanyahu said. 'It is the key to thwarting dangers to advancing peace. It's the key to achieve a stable and secure peace that the people of Israel yearn for all our neighbors, and with all our hearts. We seek a peace with our Palestinian neighbors.'

​​Iron Dome

Obama also inspected a missile battery and other equipment, part of the Iron Dome defense system Israel built with U.S. aid, and has used to shoot down missiles fired from Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Later in Jerusalem, President Obama said his talks with President Peres focused on shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program and stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

'Today was another opportunity for me to benefit from the president's perspective on a whole range of topics, from the historic changes that are taking place across the region, to the perils of a nuclear-armed Iran, to the imperatives of peace between Israelis and Palestinians to the promise of our digital age,' Obama said.

Iran

President Peres spoke of what he called a common U.S.-Israeli vision to confront dangers, and spoke about Iran.

'The greatest danger is a nuclear Iran. So you said, so you do. We trust your policy which calls to try by non-military means with a clear statement that both other options remain on the table,' Peres said. 'You have made it clear that your intention is not to contain, but to prevent.'

Peres reaffirmed Israel's commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians, but called Hamas in Gaza a terrorist organization that continues to target innocent civilians.

The Israeli president said chemical weapons in the hands of the Syrian government cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of terrorist groups, which he said would be an 'epic tragedy.'

On Thursday, President Obama meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.