US President Barack Obama will travel to Israel this month even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not completed the job of forming his new coalition," the White House said Friday. "We're going," White House spokesman Joshua Earnest said, adding that Obama was looking forward to having a chance to talk directly to the Israeli people. col/dc

WASHINGTON, March 7 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama hosted leaders of major American Jewish organizations at the White House on Thursday as he sought to smooth the way for his first presidential visit to Israel later this month. The meeting was a chance for Obama to preview his agenda for the trip, including the Iran nuclear standoff, Syria's civil war and Israel-Palestinian issues, and to reiterate his "unshakeable support" for Israel, an administration official said.

(Adds quotes from Netanyahu's speech, remarks by Biden and McCain, background) * Netanyahu says Iran is using negotiations "to buy time" * Warning could foreshadow his talks with Obama this month * Biden says window for diplomatic solution is closing By Matt Spetalnick and Paul Eckert

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that diplomacy has so far failed to deter Iran from pursuing its nuclear program, warning it was getting closer to crossing a crucial "red line." "Iran is getting closer to that red line, and it is putting itself in that position to cross it," Netanyahu told the largest American pro-Israel lobby via satellite, referring to the point at which Israel believes Iran would be able to build a nuclear weapon. mlm/sst