A comparison of American announcements of visit by Abbas and by Netanyahu
28 May 2010 Dr. Aaron Lerner

#1 Invitation to Mahmoud Abbas

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 27, 2010
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-press-secretary-visit-palestinian-authority-president-mahmoud-abbas

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas

The President will welcome Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to
the White House on June 9. The President looks forward to reviewing with
President Abbas the progress so far in Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks,
and how the United States can work with the parties to transition to direct
talks. They will also discuss our continuing effort to work cooperatively to
develop the institutions that can advance the aspirations of the Palestinian
people, and support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

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#2 Invitation to Binyamin Netanyahu

A. Remarks by PM Netanyahu and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
26/05/2010

...
Emanuel: Mr. Prime Minister – into the mike? Nobody has ever had trouble
hearing me.

On behalf of the President – you will be in Canada, and he has asked me to
extend an invitation to you to come visit him at the White House for a
working meeting to discuss both our shared security interests as well as our
full cooperation on seeking peace between Israel and its neighbors.

B. The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 26, 2010
Press Gaggle by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, 5/26/10
Aboard Air Force One, En Route Andrews Air Force Base
3:40 P.M. EDT
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/press-gaggle-deputy-press-secretary-bill-burton-52610

Q Can you give any details, Bill, about what his meetings with Netanyahu
will discuss next week?

MR. BURTON: I think that it would be safe to say that they’re going to have
a long talk about where we are in the process, where we are in proximity
talks, and what the best way forward is. But in terms of specific substance
and detail I don't have much for you. That was just announced earlier today
with Rahm in Israel. So we will definitely keep you posted on what we hope
to discuss and get out of that meeting.

C. U.S. Department of State
Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
May 26, 2010
www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/05/142254.htm

QUESTION: Can you tell us anything about preparations for meetings next week
here in Washington with the Palestinians and Israelis?

MR. CROWLEY: I think there’s been an announcement at the White House, or
actually by the White House Chief of Staff, that Prime Minister Netanyahu
will be coming to Washington in the next couple of weeks. We are in active
discussion with President Abbas on a similar trip to Washington, so those
are – will happen in the next – here in the next couple of weeks. I have
nothing to announce in terms of plans for George Mitchell to come back in
the region. But we will continue to remain engaged in this, obviously.

.