Sarah Palin will meet Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Israel this weekend for a "private visit", Israel media has reported.

The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate is due to arrive on Sunday with her husband Todd for a two-day visit, according to Yediot Aharonot. She is also expected to meet with other right-wing Knesset members.

Ms Palin is a favourite with ultra-conservative Americans and is thought to be planning a presidential bid for the 2012 US elections.

Yediot reported the aim of the trip is to become “acquainted” with the country before an official visit later this year. She is thought to be planning time in Jerusalem’s Old City and at Christian site in the north.

Ms Palin is known to be a strong supporter of Israel but drew criticism from Jewish groups earlier this year after using the term “blood libel” to describe allegations that her violent rhetoric was connected to Jared Lougner’s shooting rampage in Arizona, which severely wounded congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

She was particularly criticised for a map, from last year’s mid-term campaign, which depicted cross hairs from a gun over congressional districts the Tea Party hoped to win.