Obama, Netanyahu agree to focus on peace talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to warm rocky relations today, declaring that any talk of a rift is unfounded. Obama said the U.S.-Israeli bond is “unbreakable.” The president had praise for his guest following the pair’s meeting at the White House, hailing Israel’s recent decision to greatly ease its 3-year blockade of the Gaza Strip as “real progress.” And he said he believes Netanyahu “wants peace” with the Palestinians and is serious about resuming the face-to-face Mideast peace talks that broke off in December 2008.