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Obama, Netanyahu smooth over tensions in White House meeting


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WASHINGTON — President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that they haven't given up hope for peace in the Middle East, despite a changing political and diplomatic environment that seems to make such an accomplishment impossible for the remainder of Obama's presidency.

"I want to make clear that we have not given up our hope for peace," Netanyahu said in brief remarks at the beginning of their Oval Office meeting Monday. "We will never give up our hope for peace."

"I remain committed to a vision of two states for two peoples, a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state," he said.  "I don’t think that anyone should doubt Israel’s determination to protect itself and defend itself against terror and destruction. But neither should anyone doubt Israel’s willingness to make peace with any of its neighbors who want to make peace with it."

Netanyahu's comments sought to reassure the United States that Israel remains committed to the two-state solution — with Israel and Palestine as independent countries — despite his comments suggesting the opposite  on the eve of winning a fourth term as prime minister in March.

But the White House doesn't isn't convinced, and set low expectations in advance of the meeting. "There’s not obviously a great likelihood of achieving a negotiated two-state solution" during the remainder of Obama's presidency, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said last week.

Obama has said his goal now is to try to restore enough trust that future peace talks may someday be responsible. He condemned Palestinian violence against Israelis said Israel has the right and the obligation to defend itself. But he also said he wanted to talk to Netanyahu about ways to "lower the temperature" in the region, to "make sure that legitimate Palestinian aspirations are met through a political process, even as we make sure that Israel is able to secure itself."

Also on the agenda: a 10-year framework for military and intelligence cooperation, the Syrian Civil War, the rise of the Islamic State and the implementation of an international agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.

Obama said the "strong disagreement" over the Iran deal were were "no secret," but stressed that the alliance is as strong as ever. "There's no foreign leader I've met with more frequently," Obama said. "I think that's testimony to the extraordinary bond between the United States and Israel."

Much has happened since they last met in October of last year: Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress to campaign against a nuclear deal with Iran and expressed misgivings about the two-state solution — both of which antagonized the White House. But the nuclear deal remains on track and Netanyahu won re-election.

But if there are any lingering personal tensions between the two Monday, they appeared hidden behind lengthy handshakes and even an occasional smile.

"I want to thank you for sustaining and strengthening the tremendous friendship and alliance between Israel and the United States of America," Netanyahu said.