Clinton to visit Israel, West Bank

[oberliner]

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton will make her first visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank as U.S. secretary of state next week, Israeli officials said on Monday.

Her visit will maintain efforts to revive peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians despite political uncertainty on both sides.

Clinton was scheduled to hold meetings on March 3 and 4 with outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, along with other leaders, after she attends a March 2 conference in Egypt on reconstruction in the Gaza Strip following last month's war, the officials said.

U.S. officials had no immediate comment on the visit, which comes despite political uncertainty in Israel over the make-up and policies of the next government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE51M4I620090223

[IndianaGreen]

1. Let's hope she does better than she did with Lieberman in 2002

Our Lieberman (not Avigdor) went to Israel in 2002 and met with officials and representatives across the political spectrum, including Israel peace activists and Palestinian officials.

Senator Clinton went to Israel in 2002 and only met with government officials on the Israeli side, shunning peace activists and Palestinian officials.

At the time, I posted in DU giving kudos to Lieberman and giving Hillary a pander bear award.