Binyamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama
Binyamin Netanyahu, Barack ObamaKobi Gideon/GPO/Flash 90

US President Barack Obama congratulated Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday after he forged a new coalition government.

"President Obama looks forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu," the White House said, in a businesslike statement that followed fierce pre-election exchanges between the two men.

Obama was relatively quick to make the phone call, compared to the two days it took him to congratulate Netanyahu on his election win in March.

Obama spoke to the Israeli leader "to congratulate him on his party's success in winning a plurality of Knesset seats," the White House said at the time. "The president emphasized the importance the United States places on our close military, intelligence, and security cooperation with Israel, which reflects the deep and abiding partnership between both countries."

Obama waited 48 hours before making the normally routine congratulatory call, though Secretary of State John Kerry called Netanyahu earlier. Pundits saw the delay as an indication of the degree to which Obama was disappointed by Netanyahu's victory.