BFFS (FOR NOW): President Obama and PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who’ve had sharp differences in the past, meet yesterday after Obama’s arrival in Israel. (Avi Ohayon)
JERUSALEM — President Obama began his whirlwind tour of the Holy Land with his new best pal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the two exchanged jokes, compliments, and a hug, while closing — or, at least, papering over — the gap on dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The sometimes-simmering political relationship between the two leaders at times seemed like a Borscht Belt comedy show yesterday, with plenty of smiles, but still flashes of sharp edge that recalled past clashes.
Opening a joint press conference, Obama complimented Netanyahu’s children at their dad’s expense. “I did inform the prime minister they are very good looking young men who clearly got their good looks from their mother,” Obama said.
The sharp-witted Netanyahu immediately shot back: “Well, I can say the same of your daughters!”
The two leaders also got down to serious business at a formal dinner at Netanyahu’s modern, art-filled official residence.
Asked about their differing statements about how long it might take Iran to develop a nuclear bomb, Netanyahu yesterday stressed common ground — a stark contrast to when he lectured Obama in the Oval Office last year. Obama has said the Iranians could be more than a year away.
“The president said correctly . . . on these matters we share information, and we have a common assessment,” Netanyahu told reporters.
Obama, standing beside Netanyahu, sought to assure Israelis about the US intent to block Iran’s nuclear bid.
“We prefer to resolve this diplomatically, and there is still time to do so,” Obama said.
But he added that “all options are on the table” if diplomacy falls short.
Obama also pledged to investigate whether chemical weapons were used in Syria this week.
“Once we establish the facts, I have made clear that the use of chemical weapons is a game changer,” Obama said in a bid to reassure Israelis.
Netanyahu even extended an olive branch regarding the peace process, a day before Obama is set to meet top Palestinian leaders in Ramallah.
“Let us sit down at the negotiating table,” Netanyahu said. “Let us put aside all preconditions” and “end our conflict once and for all.”
Obama, pressed on his inability to find a peace solution during his first term, said it was wrong to assume that “having failed to achieve peace in the Middle East in my first term, that I must have screwed up somehow . . . Ultimately, this is a really hard problem.”