WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is telling American Jewish leaders that near-term prospects for Mideast peace are bleak, downplaying expectations of a breakthrough during his highly anticipated trip to Israel and the West Bank later this month.
Obama held an hourlong private meeting with Jewish leaders at the White House Thursday. A person who attended said Obama told the meeting his intention was not to deliver a "grand peace plan" when he travels to the region.
However, Obama made clear that peace with the Palestinians was the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security.
Obama will also make stops in Ramallah and Jordan during the trip, the first foreign travel of his second term.
The person who attended the meeting was not authorized to discuss the gathering publicly and requested anonymity.
