U.S. President Barack Obama is welcomed by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony at the Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Tel Aviv in Israel Wednesday to start his first visit as U.S. president to Israel. Obama will spend three days in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan. (Xinhua/Yin Dongxun)
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Obama arrives in Israel for first visit as U.S. president
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama arrived onboard Air Force One at the airport of Tel Aviv in Israel around noon on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the Jewish country.
Obama will spend three days in Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, before flying back to the United States on Friday. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the Iranian nuclear program are expected to top the agenda of his Mideast visit. Full story
Netanyahu discusses peace talks with Obama
JERUSALEM, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a closed-door meeting with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday evening, during which they discussed Iranian nuclear program, the Syrian crisis and Mideast peace talks.
At a joint press conference with Obama after the meeting, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself, calling for tougher sanctions against Iran. Full story
U.S. President Barack Obama greets Israeli children before meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres (R) at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/Muammar Awad)
U.S. President Barack Obama (C) waves as he is escorted by Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) following their meeting at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/Muammar Awad)
Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama (L) meets with Israeli President Shimon Peres at Shimon Peres' official residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama's three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories began on Wednesday. (Xinhua/GPO/Amos Ben Gershom)
Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama (L) plants a tree after meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres at Peres' official residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama's three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories began on Wednesday. (Xinhua/GPO/Amos Ben Gershom)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a welcome ceremony held by Israeli President Shimon Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Mar. 20 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a welcome ceremony held by Israeli President Shimon Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Mar. 20 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a welcome ceremony held by Israeli President Shimon Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a joint press conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a welcome ceremony held by Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a joint press conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a welcome ceremony held by Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attends a joint press conference with Israeli President Shimon Peres during a welcome ceremony held by Peres at the president's residence in Jerusalem on March 20, 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he leaves after a welcome ceremony held by Israeli President Shimon Peres (not in picture) at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Mar. 20 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he leaves after a welcome ceremony held by Israeli President Shimon Peres (not in picture) at the president's residence in Jerusalem on Mar. 20 2013. Obama arrived in Israel on Wednesday, starting his first visit as U.S. president to the country. (Xinhua/POOL/Abir Sultan)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference after their closed-door meeting at the Prime minister's residence in Jerusalem March 20, 2013. (Xinhua/GPO/Kobi Gideon)
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference after their closed-door meeting at the Prime minister's residence in Jerusalem March 20, 2013. (Xinhua/GPO/Kobi Gideon)
