President Barack Obama talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call from the Oval Office,
(Ynet).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with US President Barack Obama on Monday. Netnayahu's office characterized the conversation as positive, and said the two leaders had touched on a number of issues.
Netanyahu also informed Obama of his planned policy speech next week. The US president said he was anticipating the address.
The two leaders agreed to maintain direct contact with one another.
The White House released this statement:"The President and Prime Minister had a constructive, 20-minute conversation. The President reiterated the principal elements of his Cairo speech, including his commitment to Israel’s security. He indicated that he looked forward to hearing the Prime Minister’s upcoming speech outlining his views on peace and security. The President also noted that Senator Mitchell would be in Israel again tomorrow as he starts his fourth trip to the region as the Special Envoy for Middle East peace." (5:41 p.m.)
PM Netanyahu with Barak in Knesset today
Defense Minister Ehud Barak is pushing Netanyahu to take a conciliatory stance on the two-state solution and to announce that he is committed to the principles of the road map. Barak has told Netanyahu that his meetings with American officials in Washington last week gave him the impression that taking such positions would make it easier for Israel to reach an agreement with the United States about settlement expansion for the purposes of natural growth.
"I am optimistic that Netanyahu will accept these positions," Barak said
