PM Netanyahu assures Shapiro he wants to work with Obama

          Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hosted US Ambassador Dan Shapiro at his Jerusalem office Wednesday to personally assure him that he wanted to work closely with US President Barack Obama, just hours after the American leader was elected to his second four year term in office. The last four years has been marked by tensions between the two leaders. It was highlighted by the impression given the Israeli and American public that Netanyahu would have preferred to see Obama’s Republican challengers Mitt Romney enter the White House.The two men have clashed on issues relating to the two-state solution and the time line for considering a military option against Iran. One satirical Facebook posting, showed Netanyahu with a somber face on the phone going, “who is this.” The next shot is of a smiling Obama, with his feet on the desk, going, “It’s me again.” But on Monday morning, Netanyahu issued a congratulatory statement as soon as Obama finished making his acceptance speech in at his campaign headquarters in Chicago. He echoed those words when he spoke in person with Shapiro. “I think the United States of America again demonstrated why it's the greatest democracy on earth. The security relationship between the United States and Israel is rock solid,” Netanyahu said. “I look forward to working with President Obama to further strengthen this relationship and I look forward to working with him to advance our goals of peace and security,” he said. Shapiro thanked him on behalf of Obama and the American people. “Americans are very proud of our democratic system and values and our free elections,” he said. “Obviously Israelis share those values. The President has enjoyed close security cooperation with you and your government in his first term and we look forward to continuing it in the second term,” Shapiro said. Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued his congratulatory statement even before Obama’s acceptance speech. According to Channel 2 reporter Udi Segal, he was the first to do so. “I have no doubt that the Obama administration will continue its policy – whereby Israel’s security is at its very foundations – as well as its efforts to tackle the challenges facing all of us in the region; all the while continuing to strive for further progress in the peace process,” Barak said. “I believe that in the tradition of deep friendship and with a backdrop of shared experiences accrued with President Obama, it also will be possible to overcome any differences in stance; should they arise.” During the campaign Barak was quite vocal about his support for Obama. He refused to see Romney when the Republican presidential contender visited Israel this summer. While Israeli leaders were busy giving Romney the red carpet treatment, Barak issued a statement through CNN that he believed no other president had done more than Obama to provide for Israel’s security. President Shimon Peres also issued a toned-down statement in support of Obama at the time. On Wednesday Barak distributed to the media photos of himself with Obama, as well as a video clip from the CNN interview. Peres who is traveling in Moscow sent Obama a letter Wednesday in which he said, “Dear Mr. President, Dear Friend.” He told him that the friendship, values and principles that linked the two countries were “historical and unbreakable.” “I thank you for your unprecedented commitment and support for the security of Israel in your first term. I know that the United States, under your leadership will continue to do so in the future, facing the Iranian nuclear challenge in the way you have outlined, as well as working together to achieve peace with our neighbors,” Peres said. He told Obama that he represented the future. “Your success will be the success of us all,” he said.