Obama to Netanyahu: Two-state solution still possible
As Israeli official claims 'there are tensions between the two leaders,' Israel's prime minister discusses peace negotiations, Iranian nuclear program with US president.
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Barack Obama Monday at the White House. Speaking to the press, Obama said that there is strong bipartisan support for Israel's security and that the two-state solution is still possible.
Obama praised Netanyahu's intensive efforts in the talks and reiterated his commitment to assuring Iran does not become a nuclear power.
For his part, the Netanyahu said Israel is doing its part to pursue peace, but the Palestinians haven't. The Israeli leader said he regrets that.
Netanyahu also said the greatest challenge is Iran's nuclear program. He said he'll do, in his words, "whatever I must do to defend the Jewish state."
An Israeli official said prior to the meeting of the two leaders that "there are tensions between the two. Obama's interview (with Bloomberg) heightened tensions."
Earlier Monday Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State John Kerry, a meeting which fired the opening shot in a series of meetings planned for the Israeli prime minister in America.
Netanyahu and Obama are expected to discuss many issues, including the negotiations with the Palestinian and the Iranian nuclear program.
After the meeting with the American president, the Israeli leader is set to meet with the leadership of the House of Representatives and with Vice President Joe Biden.
Kerry will meet with Israeli negotiators Minister Tzipi Livni and Attorney Yitzhak Molcho later on Monday.
The Secretary of State who is set to leave for Kiev on Tuesday, will also take part in the Obama-Netanyahu meeting and will address the annual AIPAC conference before his trip.
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Upon arriving in the US, Netanyahu said that "the tango in the Middle East needs at least three. For years there have been two – Israel and the US. It remains to be seen if the Palestinians are also present."
Obama passed a subtle threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview with Bloomberg's Jeffrey Goldberg Sunday night, that if Israel rejects the Kerry agreement, it may face a bleak future and international isolation.
The American president claimed that Abbas is a willing partner for peace, though the Palestinians have yet to accept the conditions of the Kerry agreement.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report.
