Middle East Trip 2013

WEDNESDAY

• President Obama arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, marking the President's first trip to Israel as President of the United States.
  Watch the video
• President Obama viewed an *Iron Dome Battery in Tel Aviv, Israel.
• Later, President Obama attended a bilateral meeting with Israeli President Peres in Jerusalem.
• In the afternoon, President Obama attended a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, followed by a press conference.
  Watch the video
• In the evening, President Obama attended a working dinner hosted by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

* Iron Dome is a short range rocket and mortar defense system, which was developed by Israel and produced with U.S. assistance. The Iron Dome system has saved countless Israeli lives, most recently during the November 2012 Gaza conflict.

THURSDAY

• President Obama visited the Israel Museum, where he viewed the Dead Sea Scrolls and attended a technology expo.
• President Obama traveled to Ramallah, West Bank where he was greeted with an official arrival ceremony.
• In the afternoon, President Obama had a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Authority President Abbas.
• President Obama participated in a working lunch with Palestinian Authority President Abbas followed by a press conference.
• Later, President Obama attended a cultural event at Al-Bireh Youth Center and met with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Fayyad.
• President Obama gave a speech at the Jerusalem Convention Center.
  Watch the video
• In the evening, President Obama attended a dinner hosted by Israeli President Peres and received the Presidential Medal of Distinction.

FRIDAY

• The President attended wreath laying ceremonies at Mount Herzl at the grave sites of Theodor Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin.
• President Obama visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and participated in a wreath laying ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance.
• In the afternoon, President Obama traveled to Bethlehem where he toured the Church of the Nativity.
• President Obama traveled to Amman, Jordan where he was greeted with an official arrival ceremony.
• President Obama had a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan followed by a press conference.
• In the evening, the President had dinner with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

SATURDAY

• President Obama traveled to Petra.
• President Obama returned to the United States.