President Obama appeared alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a visit to the West Bank Thursday, telling reporters that he is still committed to aiding in peace talks in the region. Though he said that he did not consider continued construction of Israeli settlements in the region to be “constructive” or “appropriate”, President Obama said he does not think the issue should be a precondition to a new round of peace negotiations. He also said that he believed a two-state solution is still possible. The issue of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank has been a major sticking point between the two sides. Also on Thursday, Palestinian militants fired a new round of rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel. Though a home was damaged, no one was injured in the attack … Discuss

President Obama landed in Israel today—the first visit to the nation in his presidency. White House officials say that the two-day trip isn’t a mission to discuss any specific peace initiative between Israelis and Palestinians, but is rather an effort in “deepening the relationship” with the Israeli people. Obama was immediately greeted by President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and told reporters waiting at the tarmac, “I see this visit as an opportunity to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between our two nations … We stand together because we share a common history. We stand together because peace must come to the Holy Land.” The president only briefly mentioned Israel’s “neighbor” (and didn’t mention the Palestinians by name). He went on to say, “I walk with you on the historic homeland of the Jewish people,” and referred to Israelis as “the sons of Abraham and daughters of Sarah” … Discuss

U.S. ambassador Dan Shapiro announced today that President Obama will visit Israel, the West Bank and Jordan this spring, with an “urgent” peacemaking agenda. This will be Mr. Obama’s first visit to Israel as president. Along with meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Obama will also meet with Palestinian leadership and the King of Jordan to discuss the peacemaking process. Shapiro told the Israeli media, "President Obama is not coming with conditions or demands. He is coming to confer with all our partners about problems and challenges we are dealing with in the region" … Discuss