"That is not the purpose of this visit," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. The White House has not announced a date for Obama's visit, but Israeli media reported he will arrive March 20 for a three-day visit.
Danny Ayalon, who recently stepped down as Israel's deputy foreign minister, said there may be more hope for bringing the sides to the negotiating table following Israel's recent election, in which Netanyahu won another term.
Netanyahu is building a new coalition now, and he has signaled that he seeks to include centrist parties that have demanded a resumption of peace efforts.
"The next government may have more wiggle room because of the coalition," Ayalon said.
Newly sworn-in Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Israel, the Palestinian territories and other countries in the region this month to prepare for Obama's trip. Kerry also spoke with Netanyahu and Abbas over the weekend to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the peace process.
Associated Press writer Daniel Estrin in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
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Pagan,
that's right, peace - what Wilson (D) abandoned in 1917, what FRD (D) abandoned in 1941, what Truman (D) abandoned in Korea and JFK (D) and LBJ (D) in Vietnam; oh, and BHO (D) in Lybia. Or did you forget that we were attacked
The biggest oxymoron in the world, "Middle East Peace". The only way there will be any kind of peace between Jews and Palistianians is when one of them is not there anymore. And since that is not likely to happen, peace won't either. More..
If he had put Hagel as Secretary of State and Kerrey as Secretary of Defense I would say that there would be a possibility. But with the way it is and the White House being mute on Netanyahu's recent announcement to expand settlements, I More..