Netanyahu: Israel has 'no greater ally' than U.S.
Newly re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is publicly downplaying his frosty relationship with the Obama administration, telling NBC News that their two countries are each other's best allies.
"There are so many areas where we must work together with the United States," Netanyahu told NBC's Andrea Mitchell in an interview airing Thursday. "America has no greater ally than Israel and Israel has no greater ally than the United States."
Netanyahu, who is forming a new government after wins in the Israeli parliamentary elections Tuesday, has clashed with President Obama over Iran nuclear negotiations and the formation of a new Palestinian State.
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke briefly with Netanyahu after Tuesday's elections; Obama is expected to call Netanyahu over the next several days.
The Netanyahu interview airs on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports at noon eastern time on Thursday. Portions will also run on Thursday's NBC Nightly News.
"The prime minister also dismissed allegations that he was a racist following comments about Arab voter turnout during the election, saying simply: 'I'm not.'