Obama arrives in Israel

Barack Obama landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv Wednesday. He was greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a red carpet next to Air Force One. The trip is Obama's first to Israel as president.

Obama has said the purpose of his trip is to listen rather than propose new peace plans, and White House officials have tried to play down any expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough.

"The United States of America stands with the state of Israel because it's in our fundamental national security interest to stand with Israel. It makes us both stronger, it makes us both more prosperous and it makes the world a better place," Obama said in a speech at the airport just after his arrival.

Visiting sites, leaders

The president first viewed Israel's US-funded Iron Dome missile defense system, which gained widespread notoriety during Israeli's bombardment of the Gaza Strip in November. The system reportedly intercepted 80 percent of rockets from Gaza, but that number has been challenged recently, with some experts saying the interception rate could be as low as 5 to 10 percent.

The White House has pushed the Iron Dome as an example of the American commitment to Israel. The US provides $3 billion (2.33 billion euros) in military aid to Israel annually.

After meeting with Israel's Peres, Obama assured that his administration would pursue an elusive Mideast peace.

"In this work, the state of Israel will have no greater friend than the United States," the Obama declared.

Peres, in turn, said he welcomed Obama's clear message that "no one should let skepticism win the day, a vision that says clearly that peace is not only a wish, but a possibility."

Obama then headed to talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The meeting will be a chance for him to show he is committed to Israel's security and future, despite criticisms from home and abroad over his motives.

A look at the Dead Sea Scrolls and a visit to the tomb of Zionism's modern founder Theodor Herzl are also on the agenda for Obama. On Thursday he will travel to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Obama will then go to Jordan on Friday, where he will sit down with King Abdullah II.

Addressing Israel's concerns

The centerpiece of the visit will be speech to a group of Israeli university students on Thursday, where Obama is expected to touch on a number of topics, including Iran and the US' commitment to Israel.

Iran is viewed by Israel as an existential threat because of its alleged nuclear weapons ambitions. Israeli officials have expressed skepticism over whether Iran can be persuaded to halt its atomic program through diplomatic means or sanctions.

"My message will be the same as before," Obama said in regards to Iran's atomic program during a recent interview broadcast in Israel. "If we can resolve this diplomatically, that is a more lasting solution, and if not, I continue to keep all options on the table."

Popularity on the decline

Obama arrives in the Middle East at time of heightened anti-US sentiment. According to a poll released last week by Gallup and the US Global Leadership Project, the approval rating for US leadership worldwide at the end of Obama's fourth year in office was at its lowest point than at any other time during his presidency. In Israel, 48 percent of residents polled approve of US leadership compared to 61 percent in 2009.

dr/rg  (AFP, dpa, Reuters, AP)