President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the U.S.-Israeli relationship is strong as ever, solidified by last week’s unprecedented military cooperation outlined in a memorandum of understanding.
“I don’t think people at large understand the breadth and depth of this cooperation, but I know it; and I want to thank you on behalf of all the people of Israel,” Netanyahu said standing next to Obama before the two sat down for a formal meeting in New York on Wednesday, where both were attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Obama agreed.
“As Prime Minister Netanyahu mentioned, the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable,” Obama said.
“The greatest challenge is, of course, the unremitting fanaticism,” Netanyahu said. “The greatest opportunity is to advance a global peace … we’ve been fortunate that, in pursuing these two tasks, Israel has no greater friend than the United States of America; and America has no greater friend than Israel.”
Netanyahu invited Obama to hit the links in Caesarea, Israel, after his term expires. On a more serious note, he said Obama will leave a lasting legacy.
“Your voice, your influential voice, will be heard for many decades,” he said.
Obama reiterated Washington’s commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“Obviously, I’m only going to be president for another few months,” Obama said. “And our hope will be that in these conversations we get a sense of how Israel sees the next few years, what the opportunities are and what the challenges are in order to assure that we keep alive the possibility of a stable, secure Israel at peace with its neighbors, and a Palestinian homeland that meets the aspirations of their people.”
Both leaders noted the other’s willingness to talk plainly about areas of disagreement.
“One thing I can say about Prime Minister Netanyahu is he has always been candid with us, and his team has cooperated very effectively with ours,” Obama said.
