Peres: Israel should back Obama on Iran

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama emphasized his administration's unwavering commitment to Israel's security in his meeting with President Shimon Peres at the White House on Tuesday.

The US president also touched on the Iranian nuclear threat, saying that while current efforts are dedicated to resolving the standoff through diplomacy this was not the only option on the table.

Peres on his part told reporters after the meeting that he believed Israel should support Obama's efforts to engage Tehran. "We should be loyal supporters," Peres said. "If it will succeed, it can be the best thing."

The meeting was scheduled to be 20 minutes but ended up being extended to an hour. The two leaders met in private for the first fifteen minutes. The tête-à-tête then gave way to a lively discussion in the Oval Office with White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, National Security Advisor, Jim Jones, and top Obama aide David Axelrod.

Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO

Obama said he was confident his administration would be able to cooperate with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is to visit the US in two weeks' time.

The US president and his aides were keen to hear whether Netanyahu's political prowess will allow him to wrangle his coalition and advance the peace process. Peres answered that the prime minister has so far not endorsed the two-state path because "he has a coalition to maintain, and he needs to move at his own pace. I believe that in the meeting with President Obama things will become clear."

The two leaders exchanged gifts. Obama gave Peres a silver mezuzah studded with turquoise stones, which the latter has already said he plans to affix to the door of his official residence in Jerusalem.

Peres on his part gave his host a sculpture by renowned Israeli artist Razia Gershon. Titled 'The Yearning for Peace,' the figure is of a woman cradling 20 doves.

Biden: Freeze settlement construction  

Earlier in the day Vice President Joe Biden, speaking to a conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Tuesday, said Palestinians must halt militant violence and Israel "has to work for a two-state solution ... not build more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement."

Peres also met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and stressed that the new government under Netanyahu "recognizes the Road Map, is committed to honoring previous agreements, and is interested in renewing negotiations with (Palestinian President Abbas)".

Clinton asked Peres about his view on the difference between Fatah and Hamas. The president answered that "the difference between them is not political but fundamental. Fatah is a political organization that by nature deals with compromises, whereas Hamas is a religious organization unwilling to compromise."