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| Barack Obama and Binyamin Netanyahu talks – live | Barack Obama and Binyamin Netanyahu talks – live |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 12.43pm: While not everyone in the United States may be following the moment-to-moment developments in the standoff with Iran, or the Aipac proceedings, Netanyahu is visiting America at a time when public opinion of Israel remains strongly favorable. A Gallup poll last month found that 71 percent of those polled have a favorable view of Israel, versus 19 percent for the Palestinian Authority and only 10 percent for Iran. | |
| 12.20pm: Could Israel carry out an attack on Iran's nuclear program without U.S. help? | |
| After Obama's speech to Aipac, Netanyahu released a statement of appreciation for its most hawkish notes. | |
| I very much appreciated the fact that President Obama reiterated his position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and that all options are on the table. I also appreciated the fact that he made clear that when it comes to a nuclear-armed Iran, containment is simply not an option, and equally in my judgment, perhaps most important of all, I appreciated the fact that he said that Israel must be able to defend itself, by itself, against any threat. | |
| Israel must be able to act "by itself." Could this refer to specific weapons the United States could provide to Israel, including bunker-buster bombs, that would help the Israelis demolish Iran's nuclear program? Part of what Netanyahu says to Obama in their White House meeting today could be, 'If you won't strike with us, help us strike alone.' Although it's unclear whether Israel would attempt it, and whether such a proposition is any less risky as far as the United States sees it. | |
| What would an Israeli strike on Iran look like? Two years ago the Center for Strategic and International Studies published a detailed analysis of possible war plans. Last month the New York Times analyzed how difficult a strike on Iran would be for Israel to carry out "alone." | |
| The upshot of both long-ish reads is that an unaided attack on Iran by Israel would run a high risk of failure. | |
| 11.45am: "We are you and you are us." That is Netanyahu's message in front of the U.S. president with the cameras rolling. It goes to the singular quality of U.S.-Israeli relations that this phrase, on its face an expression of solidarity, has some ominous kernel packed inside it. Can the Israeli security situation and the U.S. security situation be equated? Netanyahu equates the two, citing the view of some in the Iranian leadership: America is the Great Satan, Israel is the little Satan. The two are equal. But is the world view of Iran's hard-liners the same world view that Obama should use in assessing America's security situation? Netanyahu proposes that it is. We are you and you are us. | |
| Sen. John McCain and others have called for "no room" between Israel and the United States on the question of Iran's nuclear program and other security questions. Those calls fight an enduring sense that there is in fact room between the Obama administration and the Israeli leadership. The relationship has at times been difficult, and despite this morning's nice words – and despite the recent need to act against a common rival – the differences have not been resolved. | Sen. John McCain and others have called for "no room" between Israel and the United States on the question of Iran's nuclear program and other security questions. Those calls fight an enduring sense that there is in fact room between the Obama administration and the Israeli leadership. The relationship has at times been difficult, and despite this morning's nice words – and despite the recent need to act against a common rival – the differences have not been resolved. |
| 11.31am: Television stations are broadcasting a joint appearance by Netanyahu and Obama from the White House that preceded their meeting. | 11.31am: Television stations are broadcasting a joint appearance by Netanyahu and Obama from the White House that preceded their meeting. |
| Sitting side-by-side, the two leaders reiterate a mutual commitment to stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But what is really striking about the appearance is its rather off-the-cuff quality. They are saying face-to-face what each to this point has said only from behind a podium. There is no script and plenty of room for either to go off it. Here's part of what they said. | Sitting side-by-side, the two leaders reiterate a mutual commitment to stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But what is really striking about the appearance is its rather off-the-cuff quality. They are saying face-to-face what each to this point has said only from behind a podium. There is no script and plenty of room for either to go off it. Here's part of what they said. |
| Obama spoke first. "Our commitment to the history of Israel is rock solid. ... The United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to security. ..."We'll talk [in our meeting] about the regional issues that are taking place. I look forward to the prime minister's sharing with me his ideas. ... We will discuss the issues that continue to be a focus not only of our foreign policy but also the prime minister's." | Obama spoke first. "Our commitment to the history of Israel is rock solid. ... The United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to security. ..."We'll talk [in our meeting] about the regional issues that are taking place. I look forward to the prime minister's sharing with me his ideas. ... We will discuss the issues that continue to be a focus not only of our foreign policy but also the prime minister's." |
| He does not name Iran. The language is euphemistic. But Obama then mentions the Palestinians – a reminder of a strange quality of this round of meetings between the United States and Israel, that "the Palestinians" has not been an oft-heard phrase. | He does not name Iran. The language is euphemistic. But Obama then mentions the Palestinians – a reminder of a strange quality of this round of meetings between the United States and Israel, that "the Palestinians" has not been an oft-heard phrase. |
| Now Obama's on to Iran: "And obviously, a large topic of conversation will be Iran. Let me reiterate. Number one: ... As I emphasized yesterday, it is profoundly in the interests [of both countries to stop Iran]. We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world. We do not want a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists. That's why we have worked so diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever." | Now Obama's on to Iran: "And obviously, a large topic of conversation will be Iran. Let me reiterate. Number one: ... As I emphasized yesterday, it is profoundly in the interests [of both countries to stop Iran]. We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world. We do not want a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists. That's why we have worked so diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever." |
| He says there's still room for diplomacy to work. But the decision, he says, is ultimately that of the Iranian leadership. | He says there's still room for diplomacy to work. But the decision, he says, is ultimately that of the Iranian leadership. |
| "When I say all options are on the table, I mean it," Obama says. "Having said that, I know that both the prime minister and I prefer to resolve this diplomatically. We understand the cost of any military action." | "When I say all options are on the table, I mean it," Obama says. "Having said that, I know that both the prime minister and I prefer to resolve this diplomatically. We understand the cost of any military action." |
| Then Obama turns directly to Netanyahu. | Then Obama turns directly to Netanyahu. |
| "Prime Minister, we welcome you and we appreciate very much the friendship of our peoples." | "Prime Minister, we welcome you and we appreciate very much the friendship of our peoples." |
| Now Netanyahu. He calls the president's speech to Aipac "strong." Not at all what most observers would expect to be his reaction to the speech. | Now Netanyahu. He calls the president's speech to Aipac "strong." Not at all what most observers would expect to be his reaction to the speech. |
| "Thank you for those kind words and thank you for that strong speech yesterday. ... Israel and the United Staes share common values... Iran's leaders know that, too. For them you are the Great Satan and we are the Little Satan. For them we are you and you are us. And on this last point, Mr. President, I think that they are right. We are you. And you are us." | "Thank you for those kind words and thank you for that strong speech yesterday. ... Israel and the United Staes share common values... Iran's leaders know that, too. For them you are the Great Satan and we are the Little Satan. For them we are you and you are us. And on this last point, Mr. President, I think that they are right. We are you. And you are us." |
| 11.04am: The meeting commences. They look happy. | 11.04am: The meeting commences. They look happy. |
| PHOTO: Obama meets Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House by @AP 's Pablo Martinez Monsivais twitter.com/CharlesDharapa… | PHOTO: Obama meets Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House by @AP 's Pablo Martinez Monsivais twitter.com/CharlesDharapa… |
| — Charles Dharapak (@CharlesDharapak) March 5, 2012 | — Charles Dharapak (@CharlesDharapak) March 5, 2012 |
| 10.55am: As we wait for the outcome of the White House meeting between Obama and Netanyahu, here's my colleague Chris McGreal from the floor of the Aipac conference, with a roundup of the action there this morning. | 10.55am: As we wait for the outcome of the White House meeting between Obama and Netanyahu, here's my colleague Chris McGreal from the floor of the Aipac conference, with a roundup of the action there this morning. |
| It's been a busy morning of rhetoric at Aipac with Iran inevitably the focus of much of it. The pro-Israel activists have been treated to war talk from the veteran but soon to be ex-senator, Joe Lieberman – whose waning credibility as a liberal was finally sunk by his support of John McCain over Barack Obama for president – and from the former model and enthusiastic Christian evangelist, Kathy Ireland. | It's been a busy morning of rhetoric at Aipac with Iran inevitably the focus of much of it. The pro-Israel activists have been treated to war talk from the veteran but soon to be ex-senator, Joe Lieberman – whose waning credibility as a liberal was finally sunk by his support of John McCain over Barack Obama for president – and from the former model and enthusiastic Christian evangelist, Kathy Ireland. |
| Obama's call yesterday to stop the war talk did not deter Lieberman from issuing repeated threats to attack Iran. | Obama's call yesterday to stop the war talk did not deter Lieberman from issuing repeated threats to attack Iran. |
| 'It is definitely within our power to stop Iran from achieving a nuclear weapons capability. The question is not whether we can stop them but whether we will choose to stop them. That is why with my colleagues [in the Senate] I've introduced a non-partisan resolution that says when it comes to a nuclear Iran all options must be on the table except one option and that is containment. It won't work,' he said. Lieberman said that the choice as to whether military action is used is Iran's. 'So far, though economic sanctions applied have clearly affected the Iranian economy, the fact is they haven't led the fanatics who today run that country to slow up their nuclear weapons programme one iota,' he said. 'The Iranian regime must hear a message from us and we must state it loud and clear: either you peacefully negotiate an end to your illicit nuclear activities or they will be ended for you by military attack.' | 'It is definitely within our power to stop Iran from achieving a nuclear weapons capability. The question is not whether we can stop them but whether we will choose to stop them. That is why with my colleagues [in the Senate] I've introduced a non-partisan resolution that says when it comes to a nuclear Iran all options must be on the table except one option and that is containment. It won't work,' he said. Lieberman said that the choice as to whether military action is used is Iran's. 'So far, though economic sanctions applied have clearly affected the Iranian economy, the fact is they haven't led the fanatics who today run that country to slow up their nuclear weapons programme one iota,' he said. 'The Iranian regime must hear a message from us and we must state it loud and clear: either you peacefully negotiate an end to your illicit nuclear activities or they will be ended for you by military attack.' |
| The audience liked what it heard but it liked Ireland – the former model turned designer and CEO – better as she declared herself a 'very proud pro-Israel American'. | The audience liked what it heard but it liked Ireland – the former model turned designer and CEO – better as she declared herself a 'very proud pro-Israel American'. |
| 'Israel is not only a Jewish value, it is a cherished American value,' she said. | 'Israel is not only a Jewish value, it is a cherished American value,' she said. |
| 10.20am: Tom McCarthy in New York here. Good morning and welcome to our live blog coverage of today's delicate diplomatic two-step between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama. The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House in about a half hour. Then Netanyahu is scheduled to address the Aipac conference at 9pm ET tonight. We'll be live blogging the developments throughout the day and then bringing you Aipac coverage including the prime minister's speech. Here's a quick summary of where things stand: | 10.20am: Tom McCarthy in New York here. Good morning and welcome to our live blog coverage of today's delicate diplomatic two-step between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama. The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House in about a half hour. Then Netanyahu is scheduled to address the Aipac conference at 9pm ET tonight. We'll be live blogging the developments throughout the day and then bringing you Aipac coverage including the prime minister's speech. Here's a quick summary of where things stand: |
| • This morning's Obama-Netanyahu meeting will be closely assessed – in retrospect; the meeting itself is behind closed doors – for any signs of new tension between the leaders. In his speech to Aipac yesterday President Obama criticized "loose talk of war" on Iran as actually helping the Islamic Republic by driving up oil prices. That could be taken as a direct criticism of Netanyahu, who has led the rhetorical charge on Iran. | • This morning's Obama-Netanyahu meeting will be closely assessed – in retrospect; the meeting itself is behind closed doors – for any signs of new tension between the leaders. In his speech to Aipac yesterday President Obama criticized "loose talk of war" on Iran as actually helping the Islamic Republic by driving up oil prices. That could be taken as a direct criticism of Netanyahu, who has led the rhetorical charge on Iran. |
| • About that speech. Netanyahu came to Washington this week looking for new, stronger rhetoric from the president about the U.S. willingness to participate in a military strike on Iran's nuclear program. Such rhetoric was notably absent from Obama's Aipac speech, although he did reassert the American commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Will Netanyahu leave Washington empty-handed? | • About that speech. Netanyahu came to Washington this week looking for new, stronger rhetoric from the president about the U.S. willingness to participate in a military strike on Iran's nuclear program. Such rhetoric was notably absent from Obama's Aipac speech, although he did reassert the American commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Will Netanyahu leave Washington empty-handed? |
| • In the not-too-distant background is the presidential race and how an Israeli strike on Iran could change everything. If Netanyahu decides he doesn't need Obama to hit Iran – or that the threat to Israel is too great to wait – then all bets suddenly are off. What if instead of Mitt Romney the president suddenly faces a reelection fight involving a new war in the Middle East, expensive gas, U.S. casualties and a new economic dive – plus Mitt Romney (or Rick Santorum)? Netanyahu knows that Obama knows that Netanyahu knows this. | • In the not-too-distant background is the presidential race and how an Israeli strike on Iran could change everything. If Netanyahu decides he doesn't need Obama to hit Iran – or that the threat to Israel is too great to wait – then all bets suddenly are off. What if instead of Mitt Romney the president suddenly faces a reelection fight involving a new war in the Middle East, expensive gas, U.S. casualties and a new economic dive – plus Mitt Romney (or Rick Santorum)? Netanyahu knows that Obama knows that Netanyahu knows this. |