During his first trip to Israel as president, Barack Obama this week issued a strong call for peace in the region. The president repeatedly pledged his support for Israel’s security but he also said Israel will thrive only when there is an independent Palestine. So far, there’s been little recent progress on peace talks between the two sides. Also this week, Obama visited Israel’s Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, and he toured the ancient Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.