Benjamin Netanyahu To Visit White House March 3rd

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to visit President Barack Obama next month amid tension between the allies on diplomatic matters.

The White House announced the March 3 visit on Wednesday and said the two leaders would discuss Mideast peace efforts, Iran's nuclear program and other regional issues.

Netanyahu has also been an outspoken critic of the U.S.-led efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry is attempting to broker a Mideast peace deal that would establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Some Israeli ministers have criticized Kerry's efforts.

The White House said in a statement that Netanyahu's visit "is a demonstration of the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel and our close consultations on a range of security issues."

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