Boni Kochavi
Boni KochaviArutz Sheva

Washington, and particularly the Israeli Embassy there, is preparing for the visits of Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Both Peres and Netanyahu will speak at the AIPAC Policy Conference and will also meet one-on-one with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Boni Kochavi, the Administrative Officer of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, spoke to Arutz Sheva’s Hezki Ezra about the preparations for the visits. Hezki Ezra is in Washington to cover the AIPAC conference.

“We are preparing for the visit of the two most important personalities in Israel,” said Kochavi. “We are preparing with all the means that we have so that these visits, which are important both politically as well as to the AIPAC event, will be successful. This is a large embassy that knows how to get the job done. We have a professional and experienced team, and on the logistical side I have no doubt that these visits will be successful. All the rest depends on our leaders.”

Netanyahu will arrive in Washington on Sunday and will be hosted at Blair House, the official guesthouse of the White House. Netanyahu will replace Peres, who will speak before the AIPAC conference on Sunday and then meet with Obama. Netanyahu and Obama are scheduled to meet on Monday.

In his speech at the AIPAC Policy Conference on Sunday, Peres is expected to express support and confidence in Israel’s friendship with the United States and thank President Barack Obama for his political and diplomatic support.

Peres is also expected to once again highlight Israel's sovereignty and right to self defense against any threats.

“Israel is reluctant to fight,” Peres is expected to say. “We are a peaceful country and this will always be our first option, but I suggest that no one makes a mistake. We fought six wars that were imposed upon us and we won them all. If another war is forced upon us, we will fight and win.”

Netanyahu’s visit to North America began on Thursday, when he flew to Canada. Over the weekend, he met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as with representatives of the Canadian Jewish community in Ottawa.