Does Israel's Netanyahu Trust Obama?

(CBS)  President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were all smiles after they met Tuesday at the White House. But is it all for show? Today, CBS News anchor Katie Couric spoke with the prime minister in New York.

Couric: Do you trust Barack Obama?

Netanyahu: I trust Barack Obama, President of the United States to carry out with me the policies that have joined Israel and the United States. And what Barack Obama has called the "unbreakable bond." We have common goals, common interests. And we now have a job to do to get on with our common goal of achieving peace with security. I trust we'll be able to do that together.

Couric: While you want to accentuate the positive, clearly, that's part of your mission here in the United States, surely there have been disappointments with Obama Administration. Can you just be candid with me and tell me how the administration has disappointed you?

Netanyahu: You know, you remind me of the Israeli press. They say, "How come you had a good meeting with President Obama?" Well, because I did. Because we actually see eye to eye on some central issues. The quest for peace. The danger of Iran. The need to bolster security- for Israel and the region. That's the truth. We do see it. Have we had differences? Of course we have. But I think the differences …

Couric: Some awkward moments?

Netanyahu: Yeah, of course, we've had. So what? Even they are magnified and distorted. I think the president has a fine mind. And I can relate to it.

Couric: Can you explain this to me then? In a poll conducted a month ago, just a month ago, 71 percent of the Jews in Israel surveyed said they dislike President Obama - 47 percent expressed a strong dislike.

Netanyahu: Well, maybe they don't have the opportunity to have the kind of conversations that I had. And maybe they're not aware also the ongoing cooperation between Israel and the United States. In the fields of security, intelligence - the fact that-the Iron dome program to protect against missiles is something that has been bolstered by this administration and by this president. We have a common goal to achieve a secure peace. I'm looking forward to working with him to achieve it.

Couric: Well, to change public opinion in your country, should you be more strongly advocating on his behalf?

Netanyahu: You know, I invited the president to Israel. I hope that he finds an appropriate time to come. I think that when people get to know him and First Lady Michelle Obama was very kind to my wife. They gave us a very warm reception. I hope I'll be able to, will be able to reciprocate in Israel.

When President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin met the press yesterday, both leaders expressed their solidarity in thwarting Iran's nuclear capabilities. The U.N. and United States have adopted strong sanctions. Netenyahu told Couric that he hopes they'll be effective.

Netanyahu: I hope that other nations and other leaders follow the U.S. and President Obama's lead and target hard sanctions against-- primarily against Iran's energy sector. This regime basically lives off oil and cannot do without the import of gasoline. If all that is done, I cannot tell you now, Katie, that it would stop the Iranian nuclear program. I can tell you that Iran is a very brutal regime. It brutalizes its own people. It sponsors terrorism, left and right, against my own country, against others. And it calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. I think it should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

Couric: If sanctions are not effective, will Israel take matters into its own hands? Would there be a unilateral strike against Iran?

Netanyahu: I've taken note of President Obama's statement, which he reiterated to me in this visit that the United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That all options are on the table. And I respect that. We obviously prefer that the international action led by the United States succeed. Israel was founded to protect Jewish lives. That's really what the tragedy of the Jewish people before the State of Israel was that we had no ability to defend ourselves. We always reserve the right of self-defense.

Couric: And one final question from Twitter.

Netanyahu: From Twitter?

Couric: Yeah, you Twitter, I understand. Or you tweet.

Netanyahu: I'm tweeted.

Couric: Well, someone asked this question. Mideast peace seems to be an oxymoron. We heard that a lot from people writing into us, when they found out I was doing this interview. How can you give people hope?

Netanyahu: That's what they said about Prime Minister Begin and President Sadat.

Couric: That was so long ago, Mr. Prime Minister.

Netanyahu: Well, isn't it about time we do it again? Isn't it about time that we actually sit down, the Prime Minister of Israel, myself, with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, with the help of President Obama? Let's sit down and let's solve this conflict.

Watch the full interview:


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[ErikUSA]

It is important to point out that the Zionist movement created the State of Israel, not the Jews. And many Jewish people do not support of the state of Israel.

Many Jews oppose the so called "State of Israel? any one who has truly studied the Torah ought to know that the whole concept of a sovereign Jewish state is contrary to Jewish Law.

[jordansing]

I was throughly disgusted with your questions. It is obvious that you have no respect for the President of our country. You were once a great reporter, now you sunk down to the level of hate journalism. I will no longer watch you.

[jonjonhenry]

Katie Couric's interview with Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu deteriorated into nothing more than something resembling a Joan Rivers gossip-fest interview on a red carpet somewhere. The questions were pointedly obvious and trying to put a respected head of state on the spot reminded me of asking a moviestar why they got divorced or went into re-hab. I had switched from ABC's evening news program with Diane Sawyer to CBS just to stop watching this type of stuff. Gee! I may have to go back to Brian Williams at NBC and hopefully see relevant discussions again.

[AlexVallas]

Couric's question was completely obnoxious. She should have asked "Can Obama trust you?" After all, there have been no scandals to tar Obama's reputation. To date, he has shown to be honest and trustworthy. On the other hand, Netayahou was charged, but not convicted, or wrongdoings. There was evidence, but not enough. He has consistently lied just about everything. He is completely distrustful. Katie goofed on this one.

[Lion_of_Yehuda]

Israel needs to stop flattering Obama and the current US administration, which has the singular goal of destroying the Jewish state of Israel.

Israel has no friend in the US government; it is all a shallow sham being perpetrated upon the citizens of Israel, and to placate American voters.

The game plan of all US administrations, regardless of which political affiliation, is to vend weapons and promote constant war so that there will always be customers for its weapons.

The US will receive divine retribution for such a reckless policy, and for betraying Israel.

[ErikUSA]

It would seem too that Turkey doesn?t like us much ether. Are Turkey an Israel are together?

[Coz666]

I was completely disappointed with Katie Curic when she asked that question ever so nonchalantly. It was as if she meant to undermine her own President Barrack Obama and the Government of the United States and instead give credence to a foreign leader.
Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was flabbergasted and embarrassed by this question.

In all essence this is a question an intelligent journalist would ask our President given the current state of affairs in the Middle East.

CBS News owes the Government and Peoples of the United States and the President a sincerely apology for this embarrassing moment in journalism.

I was hoping she would ask the Prime Minister whether Israeli has Nuclear Weapons. That would have perhaps nullified the absurdity of her first question.

[1renegade]

Since I believe Netanyahu is a much smarter man than Obama I think he will make him out to be the fool that he is. When you grow up having to fight for your very existence everyday you became very wise to your surroundings. Chicago don't even come close to Israel.

[user000049586849302948602]

What about becoming "wise" to noun-verb agreement? What might cause that to happen?

[1renegade]

by user000049586849302948602 July 8, 2010 9:44 PM EDT
What about becoming "wise" to noun-verb agreement? What might cause that to happen


I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person!

[endurorob_5]

USA_is_back July 8, 2010 12:06 PM EDT
by hillcoguy July 8, 2010 9:19 AM EDT
ARE YOU BETTTER OFF TODAY THAN YOU WERE THREE YEARS AGO?
===================================
Honestly? YES I am. I was able to buy a new home and received a tax rebate. Also my 401K plan is back to where it was before the Bush crash of '08.
Reply to this comment by user000049586849302948602 July 8, 2010 12:56 PM EDT
Me too. I have bought two new cars for my family in the past 6 months. And after a long dearth, we are being to see lots of housing starts locally.


Got a tax rebate on the new house from the stimulus which we borrowed from china? Your statement about your 401K is a flat out lie.

A lot of housing starts locally? Then apperently you are the exception to the rule throughout the rest of the country or you too are a liar.

[bfschutz]

Katie - I have stuck with CBS and think you generally do a very good job. Recently, however, you have been asking "leading" questions, which have angered me. First, when you were down at the Gulf and insinuated, through your leading questions, that Obama and the government were at fault for the oil spill - I thought it was sloppy journalism.

This week you asked Netanyahu if he "trusted" Obama. Really. Shouldn't you be asking Netanyahu if Obama can trust him?

These are the questions a tabloid might ask. Please return to your professional acumen so I won't have to switch to ABC.

[endurorob_5]

With all the back stabbing Obama has done you don't think it is reasonable to ask if he can be trusted? Really? Are you so blinded by your ideaolgy that you cannot see reality?

[lagunagal]

I don't trust Obama....whatsoever. When has Obama demonstrated having the talent necessary in being President of the United States let alone being trustworthy? Eva? That?s what I thought.