Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon exuded optimism Thursday as U.S. President Barack Obama prepared to deliver an address at 11:40 EST targeting the Muslim world.
Ayalon headed into a meeting wit James Steinberg, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State. He said that this would be his third strategic dialogue with Steinberg in the past two-and-a-half years.
“Without a doubt,” Ayalon said, “the U.S. was and will remain Israel’s best friend, on the basis of [shared] values and interests, especially in view of the changes we are seeing in the region.”
He added: “I have no doubt that Obama’s speech this evening will strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.”
Obama, who is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu shortly before the adress, is expected to discuss the "Arab spring" unrest that has gripped the Middle East, an economic plan for the region, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.