Obama, Netanyahu stress US-Israel bond, seek peace in Middle East

U.S. President Barack Obama and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday at the White House, reaffirming the strong U.S.-Israel alliance despite differences over the Iran nuclear deal.

Demonstrators protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit in front of the White House in Washington, DC, November 9, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Before their first face-to-face talks in more than a year, Obama told reporters that the United States and Israel "have closer military and intelligence cooperation than any two administrations in history," hailing the "extraordinary bond" between the two countries.

Obama said he and Netanyahu would engage in a wide-ranging discussion on some of the most pressing security issues that both countries face, admitting that "it's no secret that the security environment in the Middle East has deteriorated in many areas."

"As I've said repeatedly, the security of Israel is one of my top foreign policy priorities," Obama said, adding that U.S. military assistance to Israel is an important part of U.S. security infrastructure in the region.

Echoing Obama's assessment of the situation in the Middle East, Netanyahu said both the United States and Israel "are obviously tested, today, in the instability and insecurity" besetting the region.

The United States and Israel have been at odds over the Iran nuclear deal that world powers reached with Tehran in July. Netanyahu objected to the deal and called it a historic mistake that threatens Israel's security.

"It's no secret that the prime minister and I have had a strong disagreement on this narrow issue," Obama said Monday, adding that the two leaders are looking to "make sure we find common ground there."

Obama emphasized that he and Netanyahu agree on the need to make sure Iran does not get a nuclear weapon, and blunt destabilizing activities that may be taking place in Iran.

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Netanyahu said he remains committed to "a vision of peace, of two states for two peoples" -- "a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state."

Obama said he would discussed with Netanyahu on how they can "lower the temperature" between Israeli and Palestinians, and how they can get back on a path toward peace.