Obama, Netanyahu discuss Iran, civilian deaths
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed each other politely but firmly Wednesday to address areas of tension in their relationship, with U.S. president calling for an end to Palestinian civilian deaths and the Israeli leader warning of the consequences of leaving Iran with nuclear capabilities.
Obama and Netanyahu spoke to reporters before convening private discussions in the Oval Office. It's the first time the two leaders have met since Israel's summer war with Hamas, which killed more than 2,100 Palestinians - the vast majority of them civilians - and more than 70 Israelis.
The civilian deaths in Gaza deeply angered U.S. officials, prompting more biting public condemnations of Israel's actions than are typical from the Obama administration.
Sitting alongside Netanyahu Wednesday, Obama said leaders must "find ways to change the status quo so that both Israel citizens are safe in their own homes, and schoolchildren in their schools, from the possibility of rocket fire but also that we don't have the tragedy of Palestinian children being killed as well."
Much of Obama and Netanyahu's meeting was expected to focus on the U.S-led nuclear negotiations with Iran. The U.S. and its negotiating partners - Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - have until Nov. 24 to reach a deal with Iran, though all sides say significant gaps remain.
Netanyahu reiterated his skepticism about the diplomatic process and his fear that Iran will be allowed to keep aspects of its nuclear program.
"Iran seeks a deal that would lift the tough sanctions that you worked so hard to put in place and leave it as a threshold nuclear power," Netanyahu told Obama. "And I firmly hope under your leadership that would not happen."
Israel and the United States contend that Iran is seeking to build a bomb. The Islamic republic insists the program is for peaceful purposes.
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