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Obama, Netanyahu Hold Secret Meeting
By DAVID BEDEIN, Middle East Correspondent
Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met privately with U.S. President Barack Obama for an hour and a half Monday night in the White House, dispelling previous reports of tension between the two leaders.
The meeting's contents, however, have been kept in secret at the request of the White House, according to an American source.
A spokesman for the White House did say President Obama has reiterated his commitment to the State of Israel's security and that the two men discussed the Iranian nuclear program and the peace process with the Palestinians.
A date for this meeting was set after great efforts were made by Israel to arrange it, while the tense relations between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu hovered in the background. As opposed to previous meetings, journalists were not allowed to enter the Oval Office, where the meeting was held. The meeting was described by both sides as good and issue-oriented in which matters of substance were discussed.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, the prime minister's envoy Yitzhak Molcho and Director of the National Security Staff in the Prime Minister's Office Uzi Arad, in addition to Prime Minister Netanyahu, represented Israel in the first part of the meeting. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, National Security Adviser James Jones and special U.S. envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell were in attendance on the American side.
After some 30 minutes in which this group met, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama stepped out for a one-on-one meeting. The Americans asked the Israelis not to discuss the contents of that meeting publicly. In response to that request, the prime minister cancelled the briefing he had planned to hold with the Israeli media.
The Israeli and American media did not even receive the traditional photo of the leaders shaking hands. The official photographer of the Prime Minister's Bureau was also not permitted to enter, and no photographed documentation of the meeting was offered.
Sources close to Mr. Netanyahu insist that the visit to Washington was important and played an important role in the political process and in safeguarding Israel's security.
David Bedein can be reached at: bedein@thebulletin.us
The meeting's contents, however, have been kept in secret at the request of the White House, according to an American source.
A spokesman for the White House did say President Obama has reiterated his commitment to the State of Israel's security and that the two men discussed the Iranian nuclear program and the peace process with the Palestinians.
A date for this meeting was set after great efforts were made by Israel to arrange it, while the tense relations between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu hovered in the background. As opposed to previous meetings, journalists were not allowed to enter the Oval Office, where the meeting was held. The meeting was described by both sides as good and issue-oriented in which matters of substance were discussed.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, the prime minister's envoy Yitzhak Molcho and Director of the National Security Staff in the Prime Minister's Office Uzi Arad, in addition to Prime Minister Netanyahu, represented Israel in the first part of the meeting. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, National Security Adviser James Jones and special U.S. envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell were in attendance on the American side.
After some 30 minutes in which this group met, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama stepped out for a one-on-one meeting. The Americans asked the Israelis not to discuss the contents of that meeting publicly. In response to that request, the prime minister cancelled the briefing he had planned to hold with the Israeli media.
The Israeli and American media did not even receive the traditional photo of the leaders shaking hands. The official photographer of the Prime Minister's Bureau was also not permitted to enter, and no photographed documentation of the meeting was offered.
Sources close to Mr. Netanyahu insist that the visit to Washington was important and played an important role in the political process and in safeguarding Israel's security.
David Bedein can be reached at: bedein@thebulletin.us
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