Obama Tells Netanyahu Their Differences Can, Must Be Narrowed

The meeting, the first between the two leaders in 13 months, was widely seen as an effort patch up relations long fraught with tensions over U.S.-led nuclear diplomacy with Iran, Israel’s arch-foe, and differences over how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Offering the combative Israel Prime Minister a lengthy Oval Office handshake, Mr Obama hailed the “extraordinary bond” between the two countries and said Israel’s security was a “top” foreign policy priority for his White House.

A peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians and a possible 2-state solution is also on the table. Netanyahu objected to the deal and called it a historic mistake that threatens Israel’s security.

The USA president said he meant to discuss in the meeting with the Prime minister the implementation of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear deal, stressing that the deep disagreement with him on this subject was a secret for no one.

Netanyahu pledged his support for a two-state solution based on a “Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state”.

Obama condemned the latest wave of Palestinian violence and backed Israel’s right to defend itself but said he wanted to hear Netanyahu’s ideas for lowering tensions and “how we can make sure that legitimate Palestinian aspirations are met”. “We’ll never give up our hope for peace”. And in March, Netanyahu, chief of the rightwing Likud Party, traveled to the United States capital to court Republicans, Obama’s political opponents, and addressed Congress – much to the displeasure of the White House. “And to be fair about it … one thing that we have said is that continued Israeli settlement construction is counter-productive to that process”. They would later hold a private session in which they would talk about whether or not to extend a 10 year deal for U.S military assistance to Israel that it’s supposed to expire by the year 2017.

On Facebook, Mr Baratz accused Mr Obama of anti-Semitism and described US Secretary of State John Kerry as having a “mental age” of no more than 12.

Senior administration officials last week said they did not foresee an agreement and perhaps no negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority for the rest of Obama’s presidency and that Obama would press Netanyahu for ways to show that he remained committed to the two-state plan. Even as the leaders sought each other’s counsel on regional developments, growing violence within Israel and Palestine have raised concerns about the beginning of a third Intifada, or Palestinian uprising.

A close associate said on Monday that Netanyahu planned to present a package of “gestures” to the Palestinians in the areas of employment, communication, water and construction. He assures that they haven’t given up in their hopes for peace and a demilitarized Palestinian state.