(Politico).Obama and Netanyahu appear to have gotten close enough in today's meeting to present a united front, though the differences weren't hard to see.
First, the pool report from George Condon of CongressDaily:
Talks between the two leaders went considerably beyond the scheduled time. Though their lunch was to have begun at 12:25, they were not joined by the pool until 1:25 and the session did not end until 2 p.m. The body language was good, with the prime minister leaning in toward the President throughout much of the session and nodding his head in assent frequently when the President was talking. He seemed particularly amused and smiled broadly when the President hailed him for both his youth and wisdom, later noting that he was 59 years old. After their opening statements, they fielded four questions, two from each side.
No aides were seated on the couches. But several aides were standing near the Resolute desk. Robert Gibbs, Rahm Emanuel and George Mitchell spent much of the session leaning on the desk. Secretary Gates stood with his arm on the chair behind the desk. General Jones stood near the desk.
Obama said after the meeting that he'd told Netanyahu that Israel would have to "take some difficult steps," including ending the expansion of settlements and easing conditions in Gaza, and called for two states and for Israel to "seize this opportunity and this moment."
Netanyahu showered the American leader with praise, calling Obama "a great leader of the United States, a great leader of the world" and "a true friend of Israel," and thanked him for his appreciation of the danger from Iran and his "reaffirmation of the special relationship between Israel and the United States."
Netanyahu went as far as he seemed able toward talking about a two-state solution, but didn't quite say the words.
"We want them to govern themselves, absent a handful of powers that would endanger the state of Israel," Netanyahu said. "I want to start peace negotiations with the Palestinians immediately."
He also said that he'd like to "broaden the circle of peace" to the Arab world, and did his best to turn the focus back to Iran.
"I very much appreciate, Mr. President, your firm commitment to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear military capability, and also your statement that you’re leaving all options on the table," Netanyahu said.
