New York Times: Obama Does Not Intend to Meet Netanyahu Before Concluding Negotiations with Iran

An American newspaper reported on Thursday that the President of the United States will not meet with the Israeli Prime Minister until the conclusion of nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic, nor will he officially invite him to the United States. The New York Times published this news on Thursday, April 23, citing American Jewish leaders who met with Barack Obama at the White House last week. The report states that during this meeting, several Jewish figures asked Mr. Obama when he would meet with Netanyahu now that the Israeli elections are over, but Mr. Obama said such a meeting would only take place after a final nuclear agreement with Iran is reached. The report further mentions that Barack Obama told the Jewish leaders that he suspects if he meets with Netanyahu, the meeting would end with continued public criticism from the Israeli Prime Minister regarding American policies, especially concerning efforts to reach a final nuclear agreement with Iran. Mr. Obama also added that he could have a phone conversation with Netanyahu. The White House's invitation to an Israeli Prime Minister after the formation of his new government is a formality that has remained from the past. Benjamin Netanyahu won the Israeli general elections last month and has been forming a coalition with parties aligned with Likud to introduce a new government for about five weeks. Two weeks before the Israeli elections, Netanyahu visited the U.S. despite the deep displeasure of the White House and openly criticized the Obama administration's policies towards Iran in a speech to Congress, claiming that only Israel understands how 'dangerous' Iran's nuclear program is. During Netanyahu's visit to Washington last month, Barack Obama stated that since the Israeli elections were approaching, based on a normal custom in the White House, the President does not meet with leaders of countries that are in the midst of elections. At that time, Barack Obama, in a meeting with Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, sarcastically remarked about Netanyahu's insistence on a meeting, saying that even if Germany were in elections, he would not meet with Angela, even though he likes her. According to The New York Times, the personal relationship crisis between Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama is currently unsolvable, and for this reason, the White House is trying to justify U.S. policies towards Iran to supporters of Israel and Jewish groups in America. While Barack Obama three weeks ago referred to the political framework reached between Iran and Western powers as the 'clearest' step from Iran, Netanyahu described this framework as a 'historic mistake' similar to the 'mistakes of world leaders on the eve of World War II.' June 30, 2015, is the deadline for the conclusion of nuclear negotiations between the 5+1 countries and Iran. However, Netanyahu's remarks last month that 'as long as he is the leader of Israel, he will not allow a Palestinian state to be established' further strained relations between him and Obama. Mr. Obama stated that he is certain that Netanyahu's remarks were not merely for electoral purposes, but he expressed his true feelings. According to The New York Times, despite the severe deterioration in personal relations between the Israeli Prime Minister and the U.S. President, the White House sent Joe Biden, the Vice President, to the Israeli Independence Day ceremony at the Israeli embassy in Washington on Thursday.