Obama, Netanyahu Agree to Disagree on Iran

WASHINGTON -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the U.S. this week. He's fresh off a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House where the two leaders worked to mend some badly damaged fences.
       
With a handshake, they showed they were putting their solidarity on display for Israel's enemies.
     
The two men have always held vastly different world views. But their relationship has been particularly sour since the president feverishly pushed for a nuclear deal with Iran that the prime minister -- and others across the political spectrum in Israel -- adamantly opposed.

"It is no secret that the prime minister and I have had strong disagreement on this narrow issue, but we don't have a disagreement on making sure Iran doesn't get a nuclear weapon," President Obama said.

"And we don't have a disagreement about us blunting destabilizing activities that Iran may be taking," he continued. "And so we are looking to make sure that we find common ground there." 
    
The president tried to made it clear he stands with Israel, but the Israeli people may not buy it.

Some Israelis refer to the president by his middle name, "Hussein," a reference to his Muslim heritage. Polling earlier this year showed just 9 percent of Israelis described this White House as pro-Israel.
    
The president condemned recent Palestinian violence against innocent Israeli citizens.
    
And while peace talks are on ice, Netanyahu says he remains committed to a peaceful two- state solution with the Palestinians.

"I don't think anyone should doubt Israel's determination to defend itself against terror and destruction, but neither should anyone doubt Israel's willingness to make peace with any of its neighbors that genuinely want to achieve peace with us," Netanyahu said.
    
International analysts say it's important for Israel's enemies to see the U.S. and Israel stand together.

"There is a symbolic component that those enemies need to understand that there isn't any daylight between the United States and Israel as far as our alliance and our friendship and that message has to be put out there very strongly," Steve Bucci of The Heritage Foundation said.
   
While in Washington, Netanyahu is speaking both to conservative and progressive groups to make the case that the security of Israel isn't a partisan issue.

"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East," Bucci said. "It's the most Western looking country for a lot of miles in that area and we really need that relationship almost as much as Israel does."