The annual policy conference of the pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, in Washington this week will provide a stage for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres to present the policies of Israel’s new right-leaning government. On Monday, Peres will address the conference in person; Netanyahu will speak by satellite from Jerusalem. Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the way forward in peace efforts with the Palestinians are likely to be the main themes of their speeches.

Peres has spoken of “containment” in dealing with Iran, suggesting that he would not advocate a military strike to halt Tehran’s nuclear programme. But Peres, whose job is largely ceremonial, does not set policy. Netanyahu has said a nuclear Iran would threaten Israel’s existence. One Israeli political commentator wrote recently that Netanyahu has a simple message: If the world doesn’t halt Iran’s nuclearisation, Israel will act alone, and it is already preparing for such an eventuality.

Netanyahu is due to discuss Iran and the Middle East peace process with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on May 18. Peres sees Obama on Tuesday.

(Photo caption: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and President Shimon Peres attend a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem April 21, 2009. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (JERUSALEM ANNIVERSARY CONFLICT)