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Obama to make first presidential visit to Israel

President Obama will be welcomed to Jerusalem with signs that read "unbreakable alliance" in Hebrew and English.

Obama will make his first official presidential visit to Israel on Tuesday. He’ll visit the West Bank and Jordan in the first foreign trip of his second term in office, according to the White House.

During the visit, Obama will give a speech to an audience of mostly Israeli university students at the Jerusalem Convention Center, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said in a statement.

Obama is also scheduled to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, according to the White House.

Obama has focused on unrest throughout the region, said Kenneth Wald, a UF political science professor.

"His attention in terms of the Middle East has really been focused on immediate fires," Wald said.

Jenna Lyons wrote this story online.

Jenna is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
Tony is a reporter for WUFT News who may be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org