AJC Hails Reaffirmation of 'Special Relationship' at Obama, Netanyahu Talks

NEW YORK, July 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC hailed the reaffirmation of the special relationship between the United States and Israel by President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu following their talks in Washington today.

"When it comes to the critical issues facing the region – confronting the nuclear threat posed by Iran, enhancing Israel's security and ensuring decisive, timely action to bring about a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians – we are delighted to note the fundamental harmony between the United States and Israel," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu today made clear their intention to work together toward these noble goals in the spirit of the special relationship that binds America and Israel. We at AJC pledge to do all we can to assist them."

At a joint press conference at the White House preceding a lunch between the two leaders, President Obama highlighted the Iranian threat, pointing out the recent U.S. legislation which imposes robust sanctions on the Tehran regime. President Obama urged Iran to "cease the provocative behavior which makes it a threat to its neighbors and the international community." Prime Minister Netanyahu urged "other leaders to follow the President's lead and other countries to follow the U.S. lead in adopting much tougher sanctions against Iran."

President Obama underlined that the U.S. remains "unwavering in our commitment to Israel's security." Noting what he called "Israel's unique security requirements," The President declared: "We will never ask Israel to take steps that will undermine its security interests." President Obama called on Arab states to play a heightened role in advancing peace – and he joined Prime Minister Netanyahu in urging the resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, building on the indirect talks conducted by U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell.

Stating Israel's commitment to working with the United States "to protect our common interests against new threats," Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed that "Israelis are prepared to do a lot" to achieve peace. The Prime Minister expressed his strong support for direct talks with the Palestinian leadership and called on President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority "to prepare their people for peace." The Prime Minister added, "If we work with President Abbas, we can bring a great message to the peoples of the region and the world."

"Today's talks are a further demonstration that the United States has no more reliable ally in the Middle East than Israel. For its part, Israel is fortunate to enjoy such a close relationship with the United States," Harris said. "We are confident that what President Obama described as the 'special bond' between the two countries will be the decisive factor in bringing peace to Israel, the Palestinians and the region."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee