U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Israel today as concerns about Iran’s nuclear progress percolate.
On arrival, he told the Israeli people that the “United States is proud to stand with you as your strongest ally and your greatest friend.”
The trip, his first to the country as president, is part of his sweep across the Middle East, which will include visits to the West Bank and Jordan.
Obama’s first stop will be a visit to an Iron Dome missile defense launcher in Tel Aviv.
Designed by Israel and funded by the United States, the battery was deployed at the height of November’s fighting between Israel and Hamas. It intercepted a rocket headed for Tel Aviv, Israeli ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said.
Afterward, Obama will head to Jerusalem to meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Iran is expected to be a hot topic.
Obama heads to Israel with few expectations, many questions.
