President Shimon Peres will be meeting in Washington with senior administration officials, agreeing to a request from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to appear at the annual AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Dinner in his place. The prime minister is avoiding such appearances, which demand he reveal areas of his political agenda prior to his meeting later in May with President Barak Obama.

Mr. Peres on Tuesday will meet with the US president, becoming the first Israeli official to meet with the new president since his election. He will lay the groundwork for the prime minister’s May 18th White House meeting.

Mr. Peres on Tuesday will discuss a number of priority issues, including renewed and improved strategic cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem. Of course the political process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) will be discussed, as well as America’s outstretched hand of peace to Syria and the White House’s compelling policy of engaging in talks with Iran.

Simultaneously, aides to the prime minister will this week meet in London with aides to the US president, setting agendas and other logistical preparations for the upcoming visit.
Prime Minister Netanyahu later in the week is expected to visit with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)