AIPAC

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Crush terrorists and then make peace.

Through quirks of timing, it's a narrative that President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally can agree on when they meet this week in Washington.

There remains a critical difference, however, between the two over what happens in the next chapter: Keep up the fight or step out and make peace.

The Obama administration, at least by default, seems to have embraced Netanyahu’s longtime mantra that the best way to clear the path to calm is through the elimination of terrorists.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama will address this year's AIPAC conference.

Obama's decision to keynote the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual policy conference, rumored for days, was confirmed Monday by Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, to reporters traveling with the president aboard Air Force One. AIPAC confirmed the news.

The Associated Press quoted Carney as saying that Obama will not outline policy in his speech but instead will focus on the "deep bond" with Israel.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Half the Democratic caucus in the U.S. Senate urged President Obama to suspend assistance to the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas recognizes Israel and renounces terrorism.

"It is imperative for you to make clear to President Abbas that Palestinian Authority participation in a unity government with an unreformed Hamas will jeopardize its relationship with the United States, including its receipt of U.S. aid," said the letter sent May 6 to Obama and signed by 27 Democratic senators.

(JTA) -- President Obama will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House for talks.

The meeting will be held on May 20 in the Oval Office, and the effort to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process reportedly will be the main item on the agenda.

"The leaders look forward to discussing the full range of issues of mutual interest to the United States and Israel," the White House said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Helen Thomas has cancelled her participation in a pro-Palestinian conference aiming to counter AIPAC's annual gathering.

Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer are scheduled to speak at "Move Over AIPAC" in Washington from May 21 to 24, coinciding with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual conference. The program is being run by a coalition of about 100 leftist and pro-Palestinian groups, led by Code Pink and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Helen Thomas, Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer are scheduled to speak at a pro-Palestinian conference aiming to counter AIPAC's annual gathering.

A coalition of about 100 leftist and pro-Palestinian groups, led by Code Pink and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, will run "Move Over AIPAC" in Washington from May 21 to 24, coinciding with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's annual conference.