President Shimon Peres told U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday night (4 p.m. EDT) that Israel stands four-square behind American efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority and with Syria. He also said that the Jewish state backs American efforts to use diplomacy to end the Iranian threat.
He added, "I can't say there won't be difficulties, but it would be a serious mistake not to take advantage of the opportunity” to reach peace agreements.
President Peres officially represents the country and not the government per se, but he has clearly stated he backs the American “two-state solution,” which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has refused to endorse but has not rejected.
President Barack Obama kept a low profile for his hour-long meeting with President Peres shortly after House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with the first Israeli leader to visit Washington. She called President Peres a “hero” who is the “personification” of the relationship between the United States and Israel.
President Peres returned compliments, calling her a “great friend” whose “word is a commitment” and not just an expression of politeness. She did not bring up the subject of Palestinian Authority demands, an issue that Jordan’s King Abdullah raised with her two weeks ago.
The meeting at the White House was held without cameras as the Obama administration tries to keep the glare off the visit following a one-two punch at the nearby American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) meeting, where Vice President Joe Biden and Senator John Kerry demanded that Israel stop all building in Judea and Samaria.
President Obama gave his guest a silver mezuzah case adorned with turquoise gems and in return received a peace statue of a woman holding 20 doves. An engraving on the statue read, “To President Barack Obama – a great leader who carries a great hope for the world.”