Personally I can't think of a better friend to Israel than the United
States, and even if there are two areas on which we don't agree – that is
not a tragedy; everything has a solution." Persident Peres

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Only "Two areas"?

What is he counting?

President Obama thinks Israel should withdraw from the Golan Heights.

He thinks we should not even be in the Jewish neighborhoods beyond the Green
Line in Jerusalem.

Are these the "two"?

There seems to be a much longer list...]

President Peres meets with Democratic Members of US Congress
Communicated by Office of the President Spokesperson
10 Aug 2009

The president of Israel met with a delegation of 30 Democratic members of
the US House of Representatives, headed by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The
legislators and their spouses came to Israel under the auspices of AIPAC,
the pro-Israel lobby, to expose new Congressional representatives to Israeli
issues.
Representative Hoyer warmly thanked President Peres for the meeting and
praised him for his deep understanding of Israel’s essence, purpose and
vision. He noted that Peres has consistently represented Israel’s strivings
for peace while understanding the need to safeguard Israel’s security.

Hoyer spoke in a personal tone, saying that he feels pride in Israel’s
achievements and believes in the importance of perpetuating the special
relationship between Israel and the United States, and between the American
people and the Israeli people. He added that Israel’s success is the success
of democracy, of freedom and justice. He noted that Israel, as always, is
facing a challenging period, but he is sure Israel will meet the challenges
courageously. We Americans, he said, are your sisters and brothers in
aspiring to a safer, better world.

President Peres briefed the visiting legislators on the status of the peace
process with the Palestinians and the Arab world, and described strength of
the Israeli economy and its ability to exploit opportunities despite the
global economic crisis. He also explained the Israel's views on other
international issues.

Concerning the strategic relations between Israel and the United States,
President Peres told his guests, "In my opinion, there is no difference in
the approaches of Israel and the US towards the future of the Middle East.
We share the same values and the same hope."

The President referred to Rep. Hoyer's words and said, "Your statement that
we are brothers and sisters is the greatest compliment. Personally I can't
think of a better friend to Israel than the United States, and even if there
are two areas on which we don't agree – that is not a tragedy; everything
has a solution." He added, "President Obama's plan is honest, positive and
serious. We have a high regard for him and we must work together to achieve
progress."

Pres. Peres compared the situation in Judea and Samaria with that of the
Gaza Strip and said, "Gaza has been under the darkness of Hamas [rule],
whereas the West Bank has undergone a significant improvement due, among
other things, to the economic peace that PM Netanyahu is promoting, which is
showing results – the situation in the West Bank is changing for the better,
the Palestinians [there] enjoy 7% growth; we have removed roadblocks, the
roads are open, people go to work, and the general atmosphere is positive."

The President stressed that it is important to implement the topics about
which there is a consensus, step by step, according to the Roadmap, while
simultaneously conducting negotiations on the subjects about which there is
not yet agreement, in order to reach a permanent settlement later on. "We
must do what we can; we mustn't postpone anything, even if the agreements
are partial, while negotiating for regional peace. The challenge today is to
achieve peace not only with the Palestinians but also with the entire Arab
world."