5 things to know about Obama’s first presidential visit to Israel

Michael Martinez, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 9:27 PM EDT, Wed March 20, 2013
Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomes President Barack Obama to his residence on Wednesday, March 20, in Jerusalem. Obama is making his first trip to Israel as president. It's part of his sweep across the Middle East, which also will include visits to the West Bank and Jordan.
Obama visits Israel —
Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomes President Barack Obama to his residence on Wednesday, March 20, in Jerusalem. Obama is making his first trip to Israel as president. It's part of his sweep across the Middle East, which also will include visits to the West Bank and Jordan.
Amos Ben Gershom/GPO via Getty Images
Obama and Peres listen to children sing before meeting on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama and Peres listen to children sing before meeting on March 20.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
Obama and Peres head into the Israeli president's house in Jerusalem on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama and Peres head into the Israeli president's house in Jerusalem on March 20.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets Obama at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets Obama at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on March 20.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
A boy waves a Palestinian flag at a camp Palestinians set up to demonstrate against Obama's visit on March 20. Activists erected the tent city outside Jerusalem in the West Bank to protest the Obama trip and continued Israeli construction of settlements in what they consider an occupied territory.
Obama visits Israel —
A boy waves a Palestinian flag at a camp Palestinians set up to demonstrate against Obama's visit on March 20. Activists erected the tent city outside Jerusalem in the West Bank to protest the Obama trip and continued Israeli construction of settlements in what they consider an occupied territory.
Ilia Yefimovich/Getty images
Palestinians in Gaza City hold up placards demonstrating against Obama's visit on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Palestinians in Gaza City hold up placards demonstrating against Obama's visit on March 20.
Ashraf Amra APA /Landov
Obama arrives at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama arrives at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 20.
Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images
Obama greets Israeli officials during the welcome ceremony at the airport on March 20. Israeli President Shimon Peres, second from right, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, are by Obama's side.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama greets Israeli officials during the welcome ceremony at the airport on March 20. Israeli President Shimon Peres, second from right, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, are by Obama's side.
JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Obama shares a laugh with Israeli President Shimon Peres during the official welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama shares a laugh with Israeli President Shimon Peres during the official welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20.
Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images
Obama accompanies Israeli President Benjamin Nethanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20 in a handout image from the Government Press Office of Israel.
Obama visits Israel —
Obama accompanies Israeli President Benjamin Nethanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20 in a handout image from the Government Press Office of Israel.
Moshe Milner/GPO via Getty Iimages
Air Force One waits at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20 after Obama's arrival.
Obama visits Israel —
Air Force One waits at Ben Gurion Airport on March 20 after Obama's arrival.
OLIWER WEIKEN/EPA/LANDOV