Netanyahu (L) and Barak in US
Photo: Yaron Brener
Barak: PM's meeting with Obama was constructive
Upon returning to Israel, defense minister rejects reports of tension between Netanyahu, US president
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said upon his return to Israel Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington this week was "important, constructive and created common ground for advancing the diplomatic process with the aim of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians."
Barak, who accompanied Netanyahu on his visit to the US, said that by not revealing details from the meeting the prime minister was displaying "leadership and responsibility."
Israeli and American officials refused to comment on the meeting, but both sides denied reports saying the relationship between Netanyhau and Obama was in crisis.
"The atmosphere during the meeting with President Obama was very open and very warm," Netanyahu said Tuesday. "The importance of the visit will be ascertained in the future."
He added that the meeting had been "positive and to the point", and that it had dealt with the peace process and Israel's security.
