Obama, Netanyahu Meet For First Time In Over A Year

President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday for the first time since the conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal, which dragged relations between the two governments to their lowest point in decades.

“We have not given up our hope for peace”.

The White House said Obama believes Israeli security is best served by peace talks and the two-state solution, and stressed that Israeli and Palestinian leaders must make tough choices for peace.

The President did acknowledge his public clashes with Netanyahu over the Iran nuclear deal – which the Israeli leader has branded a historic mistake – but emphasized where they agree on the strategically crucial concern.

In March, Netanyahu spoke directly to the GOP-controlled Congress, skirting the White House and triggering partisan acrimony in both countries about who was to blame for the tit-for-tat.

Israel could still be a help or hindrance to Obama in keeping the deal on track, ratcheting up domestic pressure on the White House should Iran stall or falter on implementation.

Obama said the two leaders are “looking to find common ground” as they prepare to discuss a wide range of issues including the rise of ISIS, continued tension between Israel and Palestine and the Iran nuclear deal.

In recent days, the violence between Israelis and Palestinians have led to an outpouring of support for Israel among both Democrats and Republicans on the Hill, with many signing on to resolutions and letters condemning alleged incitement by the Palestinian Authority. “It is my strong belief that Israel has not just the right, but the obligation to protect itself”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama met at the White House on Monday. He did not make other specifications for how a two-state solution could be reached.

However, Obama called the Iran deal a “narrow issue” of disagreement between the two leaders. “I don’t think anybody should doubt Israel’s determination to defend itself against terror but also its willingness to make peace with its neighbours”.

“We’ll never give up the hope for peace”.

“I stay dedicated to a imaginative and prescient of peace of two states for 2 individuals’s, a demilitarized Palestinian state that acknowledges the Jewish state”.

Obama and Netanyahu planned to discuss progress on a new security agreement that could result in increased USA military assistance to Israel.

Netanyahu was said to be offering a series of confidence-building measures toward the Palestinians, including easing restrictions on communications, water usage and work permits in Israel and on Palestinian development in the West Bank.

Earnest characterized the ” professional relationship” between Obama and Netanyahu as “Effective.[which] allows them to advance the interests of their two countries and most importantly, advance our shared interests”.