President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday met at the White House and reiterated the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. “The bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable,” said the president. “It encompasses our national security interests, our strategic interests, but, most importantly, the bond of two democracies who share a common set of values and whose people have grown closer and closer as time goes on.” The leaders discussed a wide range of issues including the peace process, Iran and Israel’s right to self-defense. "We strongly believe that given its size, its history, the region that it's in, and the threats that are leveled against us -- against it, that Israel has unique security requirements,” the president said. “It's got to be able to respond to threats or any combination of threats in the region."

Obama, Netanyahu Push Peace Process Forward

President Obama on Wednesday said there is hope for peace in the Middle East, but that Israel has a right to be skeptical, Ha’aretz reported. The president’s comments came one day after he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an “excellent discussion” at the White House. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a two state solution—a safe and secure Israel and a sovereign Palestinian state—as well as the need to move into direct peace negotiations. Obama indicated that he expects direct talks to take place “well before” the end of September. The prime minister has been calling for direct talks for nearly a year, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted on pre-conditions being met before the sides sit down face-to-face.  

Gates: Iran Supplying Rockets to Hizballah

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Thursday expressed concern that Iran continues to supply rockets and missiles to the terrorist group Hizballah. "I've said publicly before that Hizballah now has more rockets and missiles than many governments around the world," he said during a news briefing. "And I am absolutely confident they didn't manufacture them all themselves. I think that Iran has been supplying these kinds of weapons to Hizballah. I think it is a concern. And we are working very hard to ensure that there isn't another conflict in the Middle East." Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren recently said that Hizballah has as many as 60,000 missiles. Click here to learn more about Hizballah.   

Iranian Official: Sanctions Having an Effect

A senior Iranian official on Wednesday conceded that the U.S. sanctions legislation could impede Iran’s nuclear progress, Reuters reported. “We cannot say the sanctions have no effect,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s atomic energy agency. "In the case of enrichment and for some equipment, like equipment for measuring, we might have some problems." Salehi’s remarks starkly contrast those of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly claimed that sanctions would have no impact on the country’s nuclear program. President Obama signed the new Iran sanctions bill into law on July 1. The sanctions aim to pressure the Islamic Republic to stop its illicit nuclear activities by restricting the country’s access to refined petroleum and isolating it financially.

Israeli Students Win Global Science Competition

Israeli high school students took home the gold and silver medals at a world physics competition, Ynet reported. The competition—known as “The First Step to a Nobel Prize”—included students from 75 countries. Four Israeli students won medals. "I am very happy, but still have not processed that I won a gold medal," said twelfth-grader Eli Goudinevsky from Beer-Sheva. "My family, teachers, and friends are supportive, and I am proud to be part of group that brings respect to Israel in international competitions." This is the second straight year that an Israeli student has taken home a gold medal at the competition.

Israeli, Palestinian Scientists Collaborate