Obama extends fence-mending invitation to Netanyahu

Barack Obama has invited the Israeli Prime Minister to the White House next week, for an apparent "fence-mending" visit. The President's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel delivered the invitation in person to Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem yesterday, while on a family visit.

"[Mr Obama] has asked me to extend an invitation to you to come visit with him at the White House for a working meeting to discuss both our shared security interests as well as our close co-operation on seeking peace between Israel and its neighbours," Mr Emanuel told Mr Netanyahu.

Israeli commentators portrayed the talks as an attempt by Mr Obama to counter criticism over what was widely seen as his cold shoulder toward Mr Netanyahu after a dispute over settlement policy. Mr Netanyahu last saw Mr Obama in March in a White House meeting that was seen in Israel as a snub to its leader because it did not include the usual photo opportunity.

Earlier that month, Israel embarrassed Washington and angered Palestinians by announcing during a visit by Vice-President Joe Biden a project to build 1,600 homes for Jews in Ramat Shlomo, in an area of the occupied West Bank it annexed to Jerusalem. Mr Obama will host the Israeli leader on Tuesday.