Confirming a statement made earlier by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Barack Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said that the meeting between the Israeli and American leader on Monday had been a good one. "The two discussed how to make progress in the peace process," Emanuel told attendees of the Jewish Federation of North America's annual general assembly.

"I am sure that Prime Minister Netanyahu understands the strategic importance of moving towards peace," Emanuel said, adding that " the U.S. will remain actively engaged, and Israel's one true friend."