Obama and Netanyahu to meet Wednesday
For the first time since November 2015, the American president will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday before the Israeli leader addresses the UN General Assembly the following day; White House says talks will be an "opportunity to discuss the need for genuine advancement of a two-state solution.'
President Barack Obama will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday, a day before the Israeli leader addresses the UN General Assembly before Palestinian PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
The meeting was agreed upon following talks between the Prime Minister's Office and the White House and was confirmed after the signing of the new US-Israel military aid package. It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since November 2015 and likely be the last as Obama approaches the conclusion of his presidency.
With the new US aid deal set to be at the center of the talks, the White House has indicated that Obama will also be placing additional emphasis on a two-state solution.
"The meeting also will be an opportunity to discuss the need for genuine advancement of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the face of deeply troubling trends on the ground," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
The statement echoed that of President Obama shortly after the US aid deal was signed last week.
Following the ceremony, the president said that the aid will “make a significant contribution to Israel’s security in what remains a dangerous neighborhood.” He also stated his intention to press for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite “deeply troubling trends on the ground that undermine this goal.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened up his cabinet meeting on Sunday by addressing the criticism he received over the US aid deal, especially from former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Prof. Uzi Arad, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former national security advisor.
"I'm hearing so much background noise and disinformation regarding the agreement," the prime minister said. "I would like to clarify – we couldn't have gotten more – not even another dollar. We also weren't offered any special technologies. These are distortions and fabrications by people who have interest (in providing disinformation)."
