US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met Tuesday in an unusual pair of low-profile meetings at the White House.
In a break with custom that seemed linked to the crisis complicating US-Israeli relations, reporters were not invited to see them shake hands and begin their talks. In a sign of the tensions between the two governments, Obama and Netanyahu did not pose for news photographs or speak to reporters.
Obama and Netanyahu initially conferred for about 90 minutes in the office. After meeting, Obama retired to the residence while Netanyahu stayed behind in the White House to consult with his staff in the Roosevelt Room.
Although Obama and met for a total of two hours, the White House did not issue a formal statement on what was discussed in either meeting, another break with custom.
In its brief statement Wednesday morning, the Barack Obama said that after the meetings, the two leaders’ teams of advisers “continued to discuss the ideas that were raised.”
Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu warned US congressional leaders that acceding to Palestinian demands on the capital could set back peace talks by another year.
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