Obama: U.S. bond with Israel 'unbreakable'

WASHINGTON The president praised 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.

Netanyahu pledged that "we're committed" to peace with the /*Palestinians*/. He said reports of the demise of the U.S.-Israel relationship are "flat wrong."

Netanyahu and Obama talked as protesters gathered across the street in Lafayette Park and chanted "No More Aid, End the Blockade," referring to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Highlights:

• It was the 5th meeting for Obama and Netanyahu; Tuesday was a makeup for a scheduled June 1 meeting canceled to deal with fallout from the flotilla raid.
• In their last meeting at The White House, Obama, upset over Israeli policies in disputed East Jerusalem, had Netanyahu to the White House in the evening - and out of sight of all media coverage.
• The two leaders appeared together before reporters in the Oval Office and then went into a lengthy working lunch.