Obama Calls Netanyahu Prior to Passover

President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss conflict in the Middle East—and to offer his best wishes before the Passover starts on Monday evening.

Passover is a weeklong Jewish holiday that celebrates how God helped Israel escape from Egypt by pouring out 10  plagues on the nation. Passover begins with a traditional Seder meal. During the Seder meal, people retell the redemptive story of Exodus.

Obama also extended his warmest wishes to all those celebrating the sacred festival of Passover in the U.S. and around the world. He noted that the Seder, with its rich traditions and rituals, instructs each generation to remember its past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails.

“This year, that ancient tradition is reflected in the daily headlines as we see modern stories of social transformation and liberation unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa,” Obama said. “Against the backdrop of change, we continue to pray for peace between Israel and her neighbors, while reaffirming our enduring commitment to Israel’s security.”