Obama to ‘work closely’ with new Israel government

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President Barack Obama looks forward to “working closely” with the new Israeli government formed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the US leader’s visit, officials said today.

“The President congratulates the Israeli people, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the new members of the Prime Minister’s governing coalition on the successful formation of Israel’s new government,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.

“President Obama looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister and the new government to address the many challenges we face and advance our shared interest in peace and security.”

Netanyahu formally notified President Shimon Peres that he had formed the new government after 40 days of tortuous negotiations. The announcement came shortly before a legal deadline for Netanyahu to form a government or admit defeat.

Obama is set to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank next week in a milestone visit that will mark his first since taking office more than four years ago.

During the tour, starting Wednesday, Obama will meet with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and his premier Salam Fayyad in Ramallah to hear their perspective on how to resolve the decades-long conflict.

“The United States places a high value on its deep and enduring bonds with Israel and the Israeli people,” the White House statement said.

“The President looks forward to further strengthening those bonds when he travels to Israel next week to meet with Israeli officials and to speak directly with the Israeli people.”

Eleventh-hour agreements were signed yesterday with Israel’s centrist Yesh Atid and far-right Jewish Home parties, which held the key to building a government with a majority in the 120-seat Parliament.

Netanyahu last month signed a coalition deal with the centrist Hatnuah party of former foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who is to be justice minister and Israel’s negotiator in talks with the Palestinians.

The new coalition, which will command a total of 68 seats in Parliament, is expected to be sworn in on Monday.