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What Really Happened Between Netanyahu and Obama

From confidential, well-placed sources, Ben Caspit discloses the arguments in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chambers hidden behind friendly gestures in public during the US president’s visit.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 22:  (ISRAEL OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum on March 22, 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel. This is Obama's first visit as president to the region and his itinerary includes meetings with the Palestinian and Israeli leaders as well as a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.  (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)
US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum on March 22, 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel. — Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

Now that all the confetti has scattered and the euphoria has died down, we can start looking into what really happened during US President Barack Obama’s visit to Jerusalem March 20.

Outwardly, the visit seemed very cordial and warm. There was every indication that there had been a significant improvement in the frigid relationship between the US president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The few dramas that occurred took place behind closed doors.

According to confidential sources close to the meeting, the two leaders’ relationship certainly improved, but mainly because they had no choice. They are stuck with each other for the next few years. Still, most of the debates and disagreements remain exactly as they were.

Let’s start with the Iranian issue. According to reliable Israeli sources that are well informed, Obama reiterated his commitment that he would not accept a nuclear Iran, nor would he be satisfied with containing a nuclear Iran. He would pay any price to prevent the ayatollahs from obtaining nuclear weapons, even if it meant using force. The following conversation is paraphrased.

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