JERUSALEM ( CNN ) -- U.S. envoy George Mitchell was in Israel on Thursday for his first visit since right-wing politician Benjamin Netanyahu became prime minister . U.S. envoy George Mitchell , right , meets Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday in Jerusalem . It is Mitchell 's third visit to the region since President Obama appointed him as special envoy for Middle East peace . Mitchell plans to meet with Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians Thursday , as well as Palestinian leaders -- including President Mahmoud Abbas -- in the West Bank and Jerusalem on Friday . The former senator and seasoned diplomat has not been shy in articulating the U.S. desire to see a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , which has led to speculation that the new Israeli government and the Obama administration may find themselves on a collision course . Netanyahu has indicated he wants serious negotiations with the Palestinians to continue , but he has not explicitly stated his support for Palestinian statehood . Questions about the new Israeli government 's commitment to a negotiated peace process came up when the new foreign minister , nationalist politician Avigdor Lieberman , declared the Annapolis process `` null and void . '' The Annapolis process , launched by the Bush administration in 2007 , paved the way for the resumption of Israeli and Palestinian talks after they stopped earlier in the decade . After meeting Lieberman on Thursday morning , Mitchell said he had reiterated the U.S. stance . `` U.S. policy favors , with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , a two-state solution which would have a Palestinian state living in peace alongside the Jewish state of Israel , '' Mitchell said . `` We look forward also to efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace throughout the region . '' Lieberman said the two men had a `` great opportunity to exchange some ideas '' and spoke about close cooperation . `` We spoke to coordinate our position regarding the Palestinian issue , regarding the area problems , '' he said . `` We are looking forward to the next meeting for some really deep dialogue about security , about economy , about all problems in the entire region . '' The Israeli foreign minister said Israel will do everything necessary to improve the Palestinians ' economic situation . But in a statement after his meeting with Mitchell , he emphasized that Israel expects an `` unequivocal commitment '' from the international community to Israel 's security and to the Jewish state . Mitchell met Wednesday night with Defense Minister Ehud Barak , who told the U.S. envoy that the countries ' bilateral relationship is `` deep and close . '' `` It is possible to reach cooperation and understanding on all issues that are on the table , '' said Barak . The issue of Iran and its nuclear program was also a topic Thursday . After Mitchell met with Israeli President Shimon Peres , the president said he emphasized dialogue on the issue . `` It is our common interest that dialogue with Iran will expose if there is an opportunity with Iran or is it all a hoax , '' Peres said . `` We all want a world that is clean of nuclear bombs , but the problem is that those holding the bombs are religious fanatics , extremists , that do not cringe from all methods of killing . `` We need to create a wide international cooperation regarding the matter of Iran , '' he said . `` All this talk about a possible attack by Israel in Iran are not true . The solution to Iran is not a military solution . '' Lieberman said the subject of Iran is a `` major problem '' for Israel and the whole region . `` If you are looking for a stable solution to the Palestinian problem , before everything else you have [ to ] stop the intensification and the spreading of the Iranian threat , '' Lieberman said in his statement . CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Kevin Flower contributed to this report .
George Mitchell to meet with Iran 's Prime Minister Shimon Peres . Benjamin Netanyahu has not explicitly said he supports Palestinian statehood . Israel 's foreign minister has said Middle East peace process is `` null and void '' Israeli President Shimon Peres meets with Shimon Peres , supports dialogue with Iran .