Obama, Netanyahu smooth over tensions in White House meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama tried as best they could to mend their fractured 7-year relationship at the White House today and look towards the future of Israel’s role in the middle-east.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with President Obama at the White House Monday.

Seeking a boost in US defense aid, Israel argues that sanctions relief agreed by world powers under the July deal that curbs Iran’s nuclear program will allow Tehran to invest more heavily in its missile development, while redoubling funding for Hezbollah and Hamas guerrilla allies on its borders.

“I want to make clear that we have not given up our hope for peace”, Netanyahu said in brief remarks at the beginning of their Oval Office meeting “We will never give up our hope for peace”.

But Netanyahu said he is committed to a vision of “two states for two peoples [including] a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish State”.

The meeting came against the backdrop of a new wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians that has spurred further doubt about the possibility of a peace agreement. “And I want to repeat once again it is my strong belief that Israel has not just the right but the obligation to protect itself”, Obama said.

Meanwhile, in a blow to the US efforts for peace in Palestine, the Israeli daily Harretz reported Monday ahead of the meeting that the Israeli government had approved over 2,000 new settlement units, something the USA opposes as it has repeatedly called for a settlement expansion halt. Tensions between the long-time allies boiled over earlier this year as Obama and worldwide partners finalized the Iranian nuclear accord, a high-stakes agreement Netanyahu furiously tried to stop, even delivering a speech to Congress to urge lawmakers to block its implementation. Last year, the Prime Minister angered the White House by distancing himself from the pursuit of a two-state solution during his re-election campaign.

“You know, I think we’ve been quite candid about the fact that given the dynamic on both sides, that it’s unlikely that that two-state solution will be reached in the next 14 months”, he continued.

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. Netanyahu too issued a statement distancing himself from Baratz’ posts, calling them “totally unacceptable”. He also said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.

He said the men would seek common ground on the Palestinians, the Iran issue and the situation in Syria.