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Ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington DC to meet US President Barack Obama, senior White House officials downplayed the likelihood of a peace deal for the remainder of Mr Obama’s term, which ends in January 2017

Yediot Ahronot carries remarks from Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, who reportedly said President Obama “does not believe there will be a renewal of negotiations between Israel.”

“Despite our wishes” said Mr Rhodes “we don’t see a chance for a two-state solution at this time. We tried direct negotiations and indirect talks, but at every decision point, the parties [Israel and the Palestinian Authority] did not take sufficient steps.”

While indicating that President Obama would not push hard for a renewal of talks, Rhodes instead suggested that he would seek steps to preserve the future of a two-state solution. Rhodes said, “At the policy level we are looking for confidence-building steps in order to lower the tension, to reduce the violence and incitement, and that leave the two-state solution open.”

His comments were echoed by National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East Rob Malley. Haaretz reported that Malley said, “The main thing the president would want to hear from Netanyahu is that without peace talks how does he want to move forward to prevent a one-state solution, stabilize the situation on the ground and to signal he is committed to the two-state solution”

Haaretz notes that Prime Minister Netanyahu hinted at a willingness to implement such steps in a speech last week to the Knesset where he said, “We’ll take steps even without a partner for a real agreement; steps to reduce friction, to bring reconciliation closer, to promote economic development, at the same time with a determined battle against terror.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Obama on Monday.

The visit comes during a row over the nomination of Ran Baratz as Public Diplomacy coordinator, a senior role in the Prime Minister’s office. Baratz, a former academic with a Right-Libertarian political background, was announced as Mr Netanyahu’s nominee for the role yesterday.  However, it quickly emerged that Mr Baratz had posted hyperbolic comments on social media accusing President Obama of antisemitism. He had also made comments offensive to President Reuven Rivlin and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

After criticism by Opposition leader Isaac Herzog and by two Likud Ministers, Haim Katz and Gila Gamliel, Netanyahu issued a statement distancing himself from Baratz’s comments and saying he was unaware of them when he made the appointment. Baratz also issued a public apology. Netanyahu reportedly told John Kerry that the appointment was now “suspended” and may be withdrawn.