Generally, meetings between high-level officials from allies involve joint statements and appearances. Well, the relationship between Israel and the United States is somewhat tense of late, particularly following Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the region that coincided with Israeli approval of settlements in a contentious area of Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House didn’t go well. Netnayahu met with President Obama in the Oval office, before meeting with his advisers in the Roosevelt room, and then requesting another meeting with Obama. Following both White House meetings in the span of one night, Netanyahu met with Special Envoy George Mitchell.
While the White House has been mum on details of the meeting, err meetings, it’s realistic to think that Obama sought concessions from Netanyahu who considered, but ultimately rejected, the U.S. administration’s request. Just speculation, but it’s highly probable that Obama requesting a compete freeze on housing projects in Jerusalem, an issue pressed recently by U.S. officials but generally rejected by the Israeli government.
It’s also realistic to think the two leaders spoke about Iran. Perhaps, just perhaps, Obama expressed some support for a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Netanyahu’s top concern at the moment. Possibly expecting some quid pro quo, Obama could have sought Israeli concessions on settlements, which Netanyahu does not see to be willing to give.
The subsequent meeting with Mitchell also exemplifies the damage control and concession-seeking efforts of both parties.
The details of the Obama-Netanyahu meeting will assuredly emerge, along with details on the concessions sought by the administration.
Entertainingly enough, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs provided this explanation of the evening:
Q On Israel, I’d like to ask you briefly about the visit yesterday by Prime Minister Netanyahu. As you know, diplomacy involves not just the substance of the event, but how it’s handled. And in this case, there were really none of the normal trappings of a foreign visit, in terms of press coverage and even a readout. Can you explain a little bit about why the White House decided to handle it that way?
MR. GIBBS: Well, let me categorize — the President and the Prime Minister met, first off, the Oval, and had an honest and straightforward discussion about our relationship, about regional security and about comprehensive peace efforts. The President asked the Prime Minister to take steps to build confidence for proximity talks so that progress can be made towards comprehensive Middle East peace. There are areas of agreement, there are areas of disagreement, and that conversation is ongoing.
The Prime Minister arrived a little after 5:30 p.m. That meeting concluded a little after 7:00 p.m. last evening. The President went back to the residence. Prime Minister Netanyahu remained in the White House and consulted with his staff in the Roosevelt Room and then requested to see the President again, and they returned to the Oval Office at about 8:20 p.m. and met for a little more than half an hour.
Q On the substance, just one second on that — but back to my original question about the handling of this. Why did the White House decide to handle — that was so low profile.
MR. GIBBS: Well, we’ve handled different visits in different ways and this is the way we felt most comfortable handling this one.
Q Is there any concern about how it could be perceived — particularly by Jewish voters or Jewish donors — that this was a cold-shoulder kind of visit or there was anything less than a full extension?
MR. GIBBS: No, I — look, they spoke for over two hours last night, face to face, so I think — we have a strong relationship with a strong ally. There are areas that they discussed last night, some of which they agree and some of which they disagree. And as I’ve said, those talks are ongoing. And — but the conversation was honest and straightforward.
Q Just one follow on that. Particularly on the issue of settlements, what did the President ask of the Prime Minister, and how do you think that went?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I’m, at this point, not going to get into walking through the substance of what they discussed.
Yes, ma’am.
Q On the confidence-building measures, the Prime Minister made clear going into the meeting that he had no intention of backing down on the demand for freezing construction in East Jerusalem. And I’m wondering if there were any goodwill gestures or any concessions made?
MR. GIBBS: Again, I’m not going to get into the substance of what they talked about at each of the meetings. Again, we have asked the Prime Minister to take steps to build confidence for proximity talks to be able to make progress.
Q But can you explain why there were two meetings?
MR. GIBBS: Again, there was a meeting — the original meeting, the President — at the conclusion of that meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted not to leave but instead meet with staff — his staff here, his team here. They did so in the Oval Office [sic]. At some point, I don’t know exact timing, but at some point, they came — word was sent out of that meeting that the Prime Minister would like to see the President — requested to see the President again, and the —
Q Were there any presidential aides in the Roosevelt Room at the time?
MR. GIBBS: Not in the Roosevelt Room, no. I believe somebody was sent out to locate us.
Q So the Prime Minister met with the staff in the Roosevelt Room?
MR. GIBBS: With his staff, yes, yes — in the Roosevelt Room.
Q Does the President expect to see Netanyahu again today or tomorrow maybe?
MR. GIBBS: There’s nothing on the schedule right now, no. I think Prime Minister Netanyahu has some meetings scheduled later on today with administration staff. But there’s nothing on the schedule for —
Q But that’s here or —
Q But does he expect answers from Netanyahu?
MR. GIBBS: Oh, I don’t know if there — I don’t know exactly where those meetings are.
Q But does he expect answers from Netanyahu before he leaves town tonight or tomorrow?
MR. GIBBS: Again, the conversations that the Prime Minister and the President are having are ongoing.
Q Robert, Israel is confirming further plans to expand housing in East Jerusalem. Do you have any comment on that?
MR. GIBBS: I asked — specifically asked our team on this. They said they are seeking clarification on that announcement. And I will withhold comment until we have clarification based on some questions they have for the Israelis on that. I would say this: I think our position is fairly well known.
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