Peres arrives in America, thanks Israel’s ‘closest ally’
President to meet with government officials, receive Medal of Freedom
President Shimon Peres arrived in the United States on Sunday for a state visit that will see him receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama on Wednesday.
Upon landing, Peres said that he is in America “to represent the entire State of Israel and to thank Israel’s closest ally, the United States.”
During the trip, Peres is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with US officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Peres said he planned to discuss the strengthening of strategic ties between the US and Israel, as well as ways in which Iran can be prevented from developing nuclear capability.
Peres said that he will also focus on the current situation in Syria as well as the peace process with the Palestinians.
The president is under pressure at home to also approach Obama about clemency for convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard.
Over the past two months, more than 70,000 Israelis have signed an online petition urging Peres to use his meeting with Obama to press for Pollard’s release from prison.
Peres said in March that he has brought up the release of Pollard in every meeting he has had with Obama.