This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8055105.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Obama Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Obama
(about 3 hours later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is due at the White House for his first meeting with US President Barack Obama.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is due at the White House for his first meeting with US President Barack Obama.
The two leaders will discuss an array of Middle Eastern issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions.The two leaders will discuss an array of Middle Eastern issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that Mr Netanyahu may be ready to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state.Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that Mr Netanyahu may be ready to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state.
But PM Netanyahu's spokesman said Iran will top his agenda for the talks.But PM Netanyahu's spokesman said Iran will top his agenda for the talks.
"As things are planned, Mr Netanyahu will focus on the subject of a nuclear Iran," his national security adviser, Uzi Arad, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."As things are planned, Mr Netanyahu will focus on the subject of a nuclear Iran," his national security adviser, Uzi Arad, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Mr Netanyahu will also have to contend with a new, popular American leader who made Palestinian statehood and peace in the Middle East one of his top foreign policy priorities BBC's Kim Ghattas Israeli PM faces tough talks in US Mr Netanyahu will also have to contend with a new, popular American leader who made Palestinian statehood and peace in the Middle East one of his top foreign policy priorities BBC's Kim Ghattas Israeli PM faces tough talks in US
"The prime minister will emphatically emphasize the element of urgency," said Mr Arad."The prime minister will emphatically emphasize the element of urgency," said Mr Arad.
Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran was a threat to its existence.Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran was a threat to its existence.
The Obama administration, meanwhile, is trying to promote dialogue with both Iran and Syria, and US officials have reiterated their backing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The Obama administration, meanwhile, is trying to promote dialogue with both Iran and Syria, and US officials have reiterated their backing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As Mr Netanyahu prepared to meet Mr Obama, reports from Israel suggested the authorities there were moving ahead with plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Tenders have been issued to build 20 housing units in Maskiot, a former Israeli military base that has been designated for housing settlers removed from Gaza in 2005.
Israeli campaign group Peace Now says this is a clear message to Washington that the Israeli government intends to expand settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
Differing approachesDiffering approaches
On Sunday, Ehud Barak told Israeli TV a Palestinian peace deal could be struck within three years.On Sunday, Ehud Barak told Israeli TV a Palestinian peace deal could be struck within three years.
"The Arabs say 'two states,' [and] I don't see a reason why Netanyahu would not say that at the end of an accord... there will be two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect," he said."The Arabs say 'two states,' [and] I don't see a reason why Netanyahu would not say that at the end of an accord... there will be two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect," he said.
Mr Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to endorse a two-state solution, saying only he wants a "fresh approach".Mr Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to endorse a two-state solution, saying only he wants a "fresh approach".
A two-state solution based on independent Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations.A two-state solution based on independent Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations.
Although Israel's long-standing relationship with the US remains strong, analysts say Mr Netanyahu is likely to find himself under pressure from the US president.Although Israel's long-standing relationship with the US remains strong, analysts say Mr Netanyahu is likely to find himself under pressure from the US president.
The two leaders are due to give a brief press conference after their morning meeting, before breaking for a private luncheon with their wives.The two leaders are due to give a brief press conference after their morning meeting, before breaking for a private luncheon with their wives.
Following the White House summit, Mr Netanyahu will hold talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and members of Congress.Following the White House summit, Mr Netanyahu will hold talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and members of Congress.
He returns to Israel on Tuesday evening.He returns to Israel on Tuesday evening.