(ynet).US President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday evening ahead of the proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, set to begin Wednesday.
Obama reportedly reiterated Washington's commitment to Israel's security, while Netanyahu briefed him on the coming negotiations.
"The president spoke late this morning with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said at his daily news briefing.
"They discussed how best to work together to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in particular by making full use of substantive proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians and transitioning to direct negotiations as soon as possible," he said.
Gibbs said the two leaders also discussed regional challenges, and that Obama "reaffirmed his unshakable commitment" to the security of Israel.
The tone of Monday’s phone call was far different from that of conversations between the two leaders when Netanyahu visited Washington several weeks ago
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) called the 'proximity' talks, which are scheduled to begin Wednesday, a "historic opportunity," adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is in the midst of a process that requires a historic decision.
Ben-Eliezer, who accompanied Netanyahu on his visit to Egypt, said he was under the impression that President Hosni Mubarak "opened all of the doors for the prime minister.
"Egypt will assist in the diplomatic process. Mubarak places great importance on the process as the key to calm in the Middle East. For us it's an existential matter," said the minister.
Obama reportedly reiterated Washington's commitment to Israel's security, while Netanyahu briefed him on the coming negotiations.
"The president spoke late this morning with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said at his daily news briefing.
"They discussed how best to work together to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in particular by making full use of substantive proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians and transitioning to direct negotiations as soon as possible," he said.
Gibbs said the two leaders also discussed regional challenges, and that Obama "reaffirmed his unshakable commitment" to the security of Israel.
The tone of Monday’s phone call was far different from that of conversations between the two leaders when Netanyahu visited Washington several weeks ago
Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor) called the 'proximity' talks, which are scheduled to begin Wednesday, a "historic opportunity," adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is in the midst of a process that requires a historic decision.
Ben-Eliezer, who accompanied Netanyahu on his visit to Egypt, said he was under the impression that President Hosni Mubarak "opened all of the doors for the prime minister.
"Egypt will assist in the diplomatic process. Mubarak places great importance on the process as the key to calm in the Middle East. For us it's an existential matter," said the minister.
