Obama reaffirms U.S. and Israel's 'special bond'

WASHINGTON - Eager to show unity to the world, President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed talk of a rift as wildly unfounded, and Netanyahu pledged concrete, "very robust" steps to revive sluggish Mideast peace efforts with the Palestinians.

In a warm, yet carefully choreographed White House embrace, the two leaders took pains to persuade allies and enemies alike that a deeply important relationship is doing just fine.

The two nations clearly felt that was necessary. The meeting came five weeks after Israel's deadly raid on a flotilla that was trying to break the Israeli blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. That raid brought international outrage and tested U.S. support for Israel's security steps.

But the optics and words of yesterday's visit all sent one message: unshaken cooperation.

Netanyahu emerged with promises from Obama that the United States is both committed to Israel's security and a believer that the prime minister wants peace with Palestinians. For his part, Netanyahu showed the urgency that Obama wants in boosting peace efforts, though he didn't disclose publicly what he may have planned.

The last time Netanyahu visited in March, amid a moment of deep tension over Israeli settlements in disputed territory, reporters were not even invited to see the leaders shake hands. This time, the two men were in front of the cameras plenty.

Where there was agreement on Tuesday, such as on Iran's nuclear ambitions or the promise of Mideast peace, Obama and Netanyahu emphasized it.

Where tensions remain, such as on Israeli settlements or the attack on the aid flotilla, there was little public mention.

By the time the two leaders took questions from reporters, including one that asserted Obama had distanced himself from Israel, the leaders were cued and ready.

"The premise of your question was wrong, and I entirely disagree with it," Obama said calmly. Even in times of tough conversations with Netanyahu, he said, "the underlying approach never changes, and that is, the United States is committed to Israel's security. We are committed to that special bond."

Netanyahu added: "The reports about the demise of the special U.S.-Israel relationship aren't just premature. They're just flat wrong."

Obama prodded Tuesday for direct peace talks to resume between Israelis and Palestinians after weeks in which the U.S. has served as an indirect mediator. "I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he's willing to take risks for peace," he said.

Netanyahu, however, unveiled no ideas on ending the standoff. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Netanyahu must choose between settlements and peace.

"We want to resume direct negotiations, but the problem is that the land that is supposed to be a Palestinian state is being eaten up by settlements," he told The Associated Press.