The prime minister says diplomatic relations with the US are strong, despite reports to the contrary. Asked if there’s a crisis, he replies: “No, truly not.”
He says he had a very good conversation with Secretary of State John Kerry today, and has spoken with Kerry yesterday and the day before, and with Obama four times during the conflict..
Netanyahu praises the Obama administration for its support, which he says is better than the backing received from a different US administration during the 2002 Defensive Shield campaign. The prime minister thanks the US for its funding of the Iron Dome.
The US backs Israel’s demand for a demilitarized Gaza, he says.
Our ties with the US are strengthened by the regional developments, including the present conflict with ISIS in Iraq, he says.
On Abbas’s future role, he says, “I look forward to restarting peace negotiations with a Palestinian government committed to peace with Israel, to the end of terror” and to the recognition of previous agreements — presumably not a joint Fatah-Hamas government, that is.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
