JERUSALEM
President of the United States of America Barrack Obama said Israel will have no greater friend than the United States and defined their tie as an "eternal alliance", on an official visit to Israel's Jerusalem city on.
As part of his Middle-East trip, Obama made his first overseas visit of his second term in office to Israel.
During his visit, Obama had talks with Israel’s President Shimon Peres. The two leaders spoke at the press conference held after the meeting.
"The United States stands with Israel because it is in our fundamental security interests to stand with Israel. Our alliance is eternal. It is forever," stated Obama.
Elaborating on his meeting with Peres, Obama said he had the chance to have an idea of Peres's views on issues such as regional developments, Tehran's nuclear efforts and Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Peres, describing the President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas as their ally to end the terror and bring peace, said "Hamas, targeting innocents, will remain a terrorist organization."
"There is an effort to bring peace to the region. This Arab effort could bring peace. If realized, tomorrow will be better," told Peres.
The main purpose of Obama's trip is reported to rebuild bridges and improving relationships with the new Israeli government.
Obama is to talk also with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran's disputed nuclear program and the crisis in Syria, and will then meet Palestinian officials in the West Bank on Thursday.
Writing by Emre Solak
