JERUSALEM: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak left on Monday for a working visit to the United States where he will hold a series of meetings with top US officials, a spokeswoman said.
Barak set off before dawn for the six-day trip which will also see him hold talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"Barak flew overnight to the United States where he will meet with senior government officials and with UN chief Ban Ki-moon," a spokeswoman from his office said.
He is to return to Israel on Saturday evening, she added.
The visit comes as world leaders are stepping up pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to begin face-to-face negotiations. Since May, the two sides have been locked in US-brokered indirect talks.
Israeli media reports on Sunday said Barak and Ban were expected to discuss the establishment of a UN committee to examine an Israeli commando operation against a Gaza-bound aid flotilla which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists.
The panel, which was proposed by Ban, is expected to include Israeli and Turkish participants. It has not yet been formed but an announcement is expected in the coming weeks and Israel is reportedly prepared to cooperate with its inquiries.
Until now, Israel has consistently rejected calls for an international investigation into the May 31 raid and instead launched two internal inquiries.
It says its troops used force only after being attacked when they rappelled down onto one of the aid ships but those who were on board say the soldiers opened fire without provocation.
