by Mike Memoli
President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed determined to downplay tensions between their nations and themselves today, from a cordial Q-and-A sessions with reporters right on through a friendly departure photo op.
This is the third meeting between the two leaders, but the first in which reporters and photographers had significant access. The Tribune's Christi Parsons, serving as the pool reporter today, noted that the two shared a "protracted handshake in front of the television cameras" during the Oval Office session, and later appeared chatty as Obama walked Netanyahu to his limo a short time ago.
"I'll have to paraphrase Mark Twain, that the reports about the demise of the special U.S.-Israel relationship aren't just premature, they're just flat wrong," Netanyahu said during the press availability in the Oval Office.
Netanyahu's last visit to the White House in March was considerably less friendly. Israeli media claimed the prime minister was snubbed by Obama, left waiting with aides in the Roosevelt Room as Obama abruptly left a meeting to have dinner with his family. Vice President Joe Biden, on a visit to Israel weeks earlier, arrived more than an hour late for a scheduled meeting amid reports that the nation was preparing to build new settlements in Jerusalem.
Asked today about whether he'd distanced himself from Israel and given "a cold shoulder" to Netanyahu, Obama bristled.
Photo Credit: Reuters / Kevin Lamarque
"The premise of your question was wrong, and I entirely disagree with it," he said. "If you look at every public statement that I've made over the last year and a half, it has been a constant reaffirmation of the special relationship between the United States and Israel; that our commitment to Israel's security has been unwavering. And, in fact, there aren't any concrete policies that you could point to that would contradict that."
Obama said that he left today's conversations convinced that Netanyahu is "willing to take risks for peace." Netanyahu, meanwhile, said he was ready to engage in direct talks with his Palestinian counterpart.
"Peace is the best option for all of us. And I think we have a unique opportunity and a unique time to do it," the prime minister said. "The president says that he has a habit of confounding all the cynics and all the naysayers and all those who preclude possibilities, and he's shown it time and time again. I think I've had in my opportunities confounded some cynics myself."
In addition to the Oval Office meeting, Obama and Netanyahu were to have a working lunch at the White House. Later, the prime minister will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Blair House, just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.
UPDATE: D.C. Now has a good primer on Obama's foreign policy priorities today. Check it out.
Comments
85% of the American Jewish population has voted for Democrats the last two elections. They get it that the Israeli population is being fed a steady dose of fear-mongering from far right wing American hate groups like Faux News. Netanyahu is nothing more than Israel's version of Shrub Jr - a right wing clown suffering from delusions of grandeur.
Posted by: Planet Wingnuttia | July 6, 2010 2:53 PM
Historically I have always admired Israel, but for the past 10 years or so, they have been very irritating and high handed. Not helpful in the least. Certainly not helping our quest for peace.
And if they are such an important ally, why do we, whenever we become involved in a new Mideast adventure, fall down on our knees begging Israel NOT to help us?
Pres Obama should simply announce that any aid we send will be subtracted off the top of any costs associated with settlements, walls, expansion into the occupied zones.
I always find it puzzling that the Right Wingers in America are always crying and whining about so-called "socialist projects" here in America but don't bat an eye when we subsidize a country that is arguably the most socialist ally we have.
What would Druggy Rush, Crazy Glenn and Sarah the Half Term Quitter think of a kibbutz?? Do these Great Right Wing Gas Bags even know about those communal arrangements?....doubtful.
Posted by: Planet Wingnuttia | July 6, 2010 4:28 PM
85% of the American Jewish population has voted for Democrats the last two elections.
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Don't think that number will ever be that high again for Obama. Everyone sees Obama for what he is now, including the Jewish dumb Amercians that voted for him. Somewhere there are a bunch of Jewish Republicans (the 15%) running around telling the 85% I TOLD YOU SO! And the most of the 85% now agree. Here out of touch sheeple, this was back in April 2010. I bet it is even less now:
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The American Jewish Committee poll of U.S. Jews found that Obama’s approval rating is at 57 percent, with 38 percent disapproving. That’s down from the stratospheric 79 percent approval rating among Jews that Obama enjoyed about a year ago, in May 2009.
Posted by: wingnutmaster | July 6, 2010 5:29 PM
The Prime Minister should tell NObama to kiss his backside.
Israel has been doing most of the giving in this long struggle. If America won't act then the Israel must go it alone. Its laughable with sanctions they haven't worked for 30 years, and after the White House snubbed the Prime Minister, I'm shocked that he would even give Nobama the time of day. Isn't there anyone in Washington with any gonads?
Posted by: Paul | July 8, 2010 10:23 PM