Obama, Netanyahu to meet November 9, White House confirms

After months of tension, two leaders to discuss implementation of Iran nuclear deal, efforts to counter Islamic State

US President Barack Obama, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
US President Barack Obama, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

The White House on Wednesday confirmed that US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Washington on November 9.

It will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders in months.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the two men will discuss the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and other regional issues, as well as efforts to counter the Islamic State’s activities in the region.

Obama pointedly refused to see Netanyahu in March when the Israeli leader appeared before a joint meeting of Congress to harshly criticize the US-negotiated nuclear deal with Iran, which regularly urges Israel’s annihilation. Republican Lawmakers had arranged Netanyahu’s appearance without White House input.

In his annual pre-High Holidays call to Jewish rabbis, Obama said that he was ready to meet with Netanyahu during the United Nations’ General Assembly opening session, which starts next week and runs through October 6. Netanyahu until now has rebuffed such overtures because of his disagreements with the US leader.

“Our consultations have already begun with Israeli military and intelligence officials,” Obama said during the call.

“My hope is to have a long discussion with Mr. Netanyahu about these issues when he comes to the United Nations during the General Assembly of the United Nations, or immediately after that,” he said.

Congressional Republicans failed this week to block the nuclear deal with Iran from going forward.

JTA contributed to this report.

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