The new U.S. ambassador to Israel says President Barack Obama hopes to visit.

Daniel Shapiro presented his credentials to Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Shapiro is Jewish and speaks Hebrew and Arabic.

He told Israeli TV stations the U.S. is trying to restart peace talks to head off the Palestinian effort to win recognition from the U.N.

He told Channel 2 TV the U.S. is hopeful but that "it's not certain that we will be able to achieve a formula."

Shapiro was part of Obama's election campaign and has been involved in Israeli-Palestinian contacts since then. He told Channel 10 TV that Obama hopes to visit Israel.

Shapiro said he would "very much enjoy a visit by the president," adding no details have been worked out.