WJC President Ronald S. Lauder.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder.Flash 90

World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald Lauder on Monday praised President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for meeting face-to-face at the White House and “taking this opportunity to pursue common values and agendas and strengthen the close partnership enjoyed by the United States and Israel.”

Lauder also welcomed the two leaders’ reaffirmation of their commitment to the two-state solution.

“A strong U.S.-Israeli relationship is critical for Israel and for Jews around the world,” he said in a statement, adding, “For decades, America has stood by Israel, its most reliable ally in the Middle East. American leadership in strengthening the Middle East peace process is invaluable in creating a genuine and lasting peace. I know that the United States stands ready to help advance a two-state solution to help solve the conflict.” 

“Both President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu understand that the two-state solution is the only solution. Both leaders possess the greatness, the vision and the courage needed to move our common relationship forward,” added Lauder.

The current wave of terror spreading across Israel, as well as the radical Islamists expanding on Israel’s borders and the genocidal anti-Israel rhetoric repeated by Iran despite the recent nuclear agreement make the U.S.-Israel relationship all the more important, Lauder stressed.

“It is therefore critical that the United States provide Israel with all of the tools necessary to maintain its qualitative military edge in a volatile Middle East,” he said.

“The American–Israeli alliance can help assure the security of Israel, the well-being of the Palestinians, and bring us all closer to peace,” Lauder added. “Progress will not come overnight, it will take time. But now is the time to re-energize the peace process by taking bold action.”

Obama and Netanyahu discussed a range of topics at Monday’s meeting, which Netanyahu later described as “one of the best” he’s ever had with the American president.

"The conversation was very relaxed, and honest. No one hides the differences between us, and now the question is what to do with them. We have a common interest in preventing Iran from violating the agreement that was signed with it, and we will cooperate on this issue," Netanyahu told reporters after the meeting.

"I did not feel any pent-up tension which is sometimes felt. The tone and essence of the conversation was very productive as well. There were no arguments and confrontations," he added.

With regards to the “two-state solution”, however, Obama’s spokesman admitted after Monday’s meeting that it is unlikely the issue would be resolved before Obama leaves office.

Earnest said officials in the Obama administration concluded that “a two-state solution was not going to happen while President Obama was still in office, and that even the possibility of talks about a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians was unlikely over the course of the next 14 or 15 months."

Earnest’s comments are in line with ones made last week by officials in the White House. Those officials, quoted by Haaretz, admitted that Obama had concluded that in his time left in office the Israelis and the Palestinians will not be able to reach a peace treaty and would, therefore, encourage Netanyahu to take steps to prevent a “one-state solution” during their meeting at the White House.