Transcript of President Barack Obama's speech to Israeli students in Jerusalem - March 21 2013

“Well, it is a great honor to be with you here in Jerusalem, and I’m so grateful for the welcome that I’ve received from the people of Israel. Thank you. I bring with me the support of the American people - and the friendship that binds us together.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly apologised to his Turkish counterpart for the deaths of Turkish citizens in the Gaza flotilla incident.

Mr Netanyahu is said to have called Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shortly before US president Barack Obama left Israel on Friday afternoon.

Peace talks

The boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel is an “antisemitic” vehicle used by those who want to destroy the country, a new report from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre has concluded.

US President Barack Obama is now in Ramallah in the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority leaders on the second day of his trip to the Middle East.

This morning Mr Obama saw the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel President Shimon Peres has welcomed his American counterpart to Jerusalem on the first day of Barack Obama's trip to Israel.

The two heads of state planted a magnolia tree in the gardens of the presidential residence.

Schoolchildren sang Tomorrow from the musical Annie in Hebrew, Arabic and English.

US President Barack Obama has arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the presidential plane Air Force One, marking the beginning of his 50-hour whistlestop tour of Israel.

He was greeted by Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli head of protocol as well as a military honour guard, which played both national anthems.