Obama meets with the Netanyahus

Silvan Shalom, newly installed as a senior cabinet minister, says there isn’t much difference now between Israel and the US “as regards timing on Iran.”

So, does Israel “trust Obama on Iran,” as Peres just said, Shalom is asked on Army Radio? “We trust ourselves,” Shalom says.

So if Obama asks Netanyahu to hold his fire? “On the central issues, the most essential, the most critical to Israel’s security, and I say this on good authority, President Obama was there. And he was there big time,” says Shalom. He’s not up for reelection, yet here he is, on this visit.

Obama has moved on speedily to the Prime Minister’s Residence, for photos with Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu, and another guestbook. “It is a great honor…” he begins to write left-handed, like the prime minister — then breaks off for a conversation with Sara about the slightly awkward way he holds a pen.

The prime minister praises Obama for knowing “exactly when to come” to Israel — once a government had been formed.

Obama is seated at a small round table, with Netanyahu seated facing him. Sara stands to her husband’s left. Now she escorts him toward the other waiting dignitaries, including Secretary of State Kerry, Ambassador Dan Shapiro, and Netanyahu’s aides including Yitzhak Molcho and Ron Dermer. A brief chat with Netanyahu’s son, Yair, apparently talking about army service. What do you plan to study? “International relations.”

Arm in arm, Obama and Netanyahu walk into a closed meeting room with Sara and Yair. All the officials, advisers and ministers wait outside. Exchanges of gifts, we think.