(BBC, NYT)..PM Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to ease tensions with the US, describing the two countries' relations as those of "allies and friends".
Mr Netanyahu also dismissed reports one of his confidants called US President Barack Obama a "disaster" for Israel.
A best-selling Israeli newspaper then quoted an unidentified aide as saying: "You could say that Obama is the greatest disaster for Israel - a strategic disaster."
But the prime minister, speaking before he briefed the cabinet on his US trip, condemned these comments as "unacceptable".
"They do not come from anyone representing me. The relations between Israel and the United States are those of allies and friends, and are based on tradition spanning many years."
"There were areas in which there was swift agreement," Netanyahu told the cabinet about the talks.
"In areas where there was disagreement, we tried to take, and we did take, certain steps to narrow the gaps in order to move the (peace) process forward," he said, without elaborating.
Resisting U.S. pressure, Netanyahu has said Israel would not stop building in West Bank territory it annexed to East Jerusalem after capturing the two areas in a 1967 war.
"I think we will continue these efforts. We are continuing them today and in the coming days," Netanyahu said at the cabinet meeting.
Mr Netanyahu also dismissed reports one of his confidants called US President Barack Obama a "disaster" for Israel.
A best-selling Israeli newspaper then quoted an unidentified aide as saying: "You could say that Obama is the greatest disaster for Israel - a strategic disaster."
But the prime minister, speaking before he briefed the cabinet on his US trip, condemned these comments as "unacceptable".
"They do not come from anyone representing me. The relations between Israel and the United States are those of allies and friends, and are based on tradition spanning many years."
"There were areas in which there was swift agreement," Netanyahu told the cabinet about the talks.
"In areas where there was disagreement, we tried to take, and we did take, certain steps to narrow the gaps in order to move the (peace) process forward," he said, without elaborating.
Resisting U.S. pressure, Netanyahu has said Israel would not stop building in West Bank territory it annexed to East Jerusalem after capturing the two areas in a 1967 war.
"I think we will continue these efforts. We are continuing them today and in the coming days," Netanyahu said at the cabinet meeting.
