WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says the U.S. will continue to try to tamp down violence between Israelis and the Palestinians even though prospects for a peace accord seem slim.
In remarks before meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Obama says the leaders planned to discuss a new memorandum of understanding on security assistance.
Obama says this is a time when “prospects of a serious peace may seem distant” but, he adds, “it’s important that we continue to try.”
Rivlin says Israel will work hand in hand with the U.S. to try to fight extremism.
The role of president in Israel is largely ceremonial. Obama met last month with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.