Obama Going to Israel

U.S. president to visit Israel in June

U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Israel and Western Bank in June, the Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported with reference to the U.S. diplomatic sources.

Obama will visit the region after tripping to France in June.

A decision to visit Israel several days after meeting with new Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu testifies that the United States plays an active role in settling Palestinian-Israeli problem.

Last week, Israeli new Foreign Minister Avigdor Libermann refused to follow the Annapolis agreement signed with the new Palestinian government in 2007.

Before Obama's visit to Israel, U.S. Special Envoy to Middle East George Mitchell will visit the region.

Unlike, former George Bush administration, the new leader of the White House is not against of Hamas's joining the Palestinian government, Haaretz reported. However, the U.S. supports the decision of the Middle East quartet - U.S., EU, UN and Russia - on refusing from any diplomatic negotiations with Hamas. The quartet insists on the movement to recognize Israel's right for existence and refuse from resistance.