Thaindian News

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara left for the United States on late Saturday to attend the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly in New Orleans on Monday, his office said.

Netanyahu, besides speaking at the Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly, is also expected to hold diplomatic meetings with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in New Orleans on Sunday. On Monday, Netanyahu will travel to New York City to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Other meetings Netanyahu will hold in the United States include a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice on Wednesday in New York and with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday, also in New York. He is also expected to meet with media figures and Wall Street economists during his stay in New York, in order to explain Israel’s positions.

“I am looking forward to important meetings with U.S. Vice President Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, who share in the great efforts that we are making in order to continue the peace process,” Netanyahu said before boarding his plane. “I will also speak about this, and other issues, with UN Secretary-General Ki-moon, U.S. UN Ambassador Rice and others. I hope that on this visit, we and the U.S. administration will find the way to advance the diplomatic process while maintaining Israel’s national and security interests.”