WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Obama conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his condolences over recent terrorist attacks and reaffirmed "unwavering" commitment to Israel’s security.
"President Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today to convey his condolences over the terrorist attack in Jerusalem yesterday, which killed one person and wounded many others, and to express his concern about the recent rocket and mortar attacks against Israel from Gaza," a White House statement said Thursday. "The President reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security."
The statement said Netanyahu "appreciated" the call and that the leaders "agreed to remain in close touch on a range of regional security issues."
Israel has been seeking American reassurances in the wake of a wave of uprisings in the Arab world.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met Thursday with Ehud Barak, his Israeli counterpart, and said advancing peace talks with the Palestinians was more critical than ever because of regional turmoil.
"The Israelis have a very deep strategic interest in getting out in front of the wave of populism that’s sweeping the region," Reuters quoted a senior U.S. defense official as saying.
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