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President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Tuesday in a bid to show they have turned the page on an unusually rocky period in relations between Washington and its close ally, and after Israel announced a partial lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip. Visiting the White House for fence-mending talks, Netanyahu was expected to get a warmer welcome than in March, when Obama kept him at arms' length in what was widely viewed as a snub over settlement policy seen by the US as an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state. However, Expectations for a major breakthrough are low. Netanyahu made no comments when he left Tel Aviv. The meeting, postponed a month ago after a deadly Israeli raid on a Gaza aid flotilla, could be a test of whether Obama can overcome recent tensions with Netanyahu and work together to restart long-suspended direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Obama is not likely to risk another diplomatic clash with Netanyahu with pivotal US congressional elections looming in November and pro-Israel sentiment strong among American lawmakers and voters. The chill in relations has thawed recently with Obama shifting to a gentler tone and Netanyahu offering conciliatory gestures. The two have found common ground opposing Iran's nuclear program, which will be high on the agenda. At the White House, Netanyahu plans to assure Obama he wants to upgrade indirect talks with the Palestinians to direct negotiations, something the president sees as vital to the goal of creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel. A big question hanging over the fragile peace process is whether Netanyahu will extend beyond September a 10-month Israeli moratorium on new housing starts in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Reuters |
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