En route back from Japan on Sunday, President Barack Obama praised Netanyahu for proposing the new freeze proposal:
"I think it is promising," Obama told the press on the back of the plane, of Netanyahu introducing the new freeze package to his cabinet, according to the pool report. "I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu for taking I think a very constructive step."
"It's not easy for him to do, but I think it's a signal that he is serious," Obama added of Netanyahu.
Obama also said he wants to have the parties quickly return to final-status negotiations, so future freezes won't be needed.