Obama promises to visit Israel as a private citizen, too

Now that the cameras are out, Obama and Netanyahu and their teams have moved onto to the private, substantial part of their meeting.

By necessity, it will be brief. The president has several other meetings lined up.

The public part was clearly intended, by both leaders, to underline the warmth and solidity of the Israeli-American relationship, and to show warmth in the personal ties, too — despite the years of sometimes open friction.

Netanyahu took pains to stress Obama’s personal role in ensuring Israel’s well-being, thanking him on behalf of the people of Israel. Without wishing to disguise that there had been disagreements, Obama praised Netanyahu for always being straight with the administration.

Responding to Netanyahu’s invitation that he visit Israel after his presidency, too, and perhaps play golf at the course near the prime minister’s home in Caesarea, Obama said he would indeed be a frequent visitor, and that if he brings his wife and children, they would enjoy the fact that he wouldn’t have to sit in on bilateral negotiations.