Obama Holds 'Constructive' Talks With Netanyahu Ahead of Major Speech

Days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers an address on the future of relations between the Jewish state and the Arab world, President Obama had what the White House called a "constructive" conversation with the Israeli leader -- despite ongoing tensions between the two allies.

Middle East envoy George Mitchell also was in Israel Tuesday to speak with Israeli leaders and try to temper what has become a very public disagreement.

Obama spoke by phone for 20 minutes with Netanyahu Monday, following up on his speech to the Muslim world from Cairo last week.

"The president reiterated the principal elements of his Cairo speech, including his commitment to Israel's security. He indicated that he looked forward to hearing the prime minister's upcoming speech outlining his views on peace and security," the White House said in a written statement.

But with the Obama administration insisting that Israel freeze all settlement construction and accept the idea of a Palestinian state -- two demands the conservative Netanyahu has resisted -- it's unclear whether the two leaders found common ground or whether the conversation will influence the contents of Netanyahu's speech scheduled for Sunday. The prime minister plans to give a major policy address on the future of Israeli relations with the Palestinian Authority and Arab countries.

Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported Tuesday that, according to Netanyahu aides, the prime minister believes that Obama wants to create a confrontation with Israel to help him improve relations with the Arab world.

Obama called for a "new beginning" between the United States and Muslim countries last Thursday in Cairo. In the speech, he called the long-standing U.S.-Israel alliance "unbreakable" but stepped up pressure on Israel's leadership to follow U.S. terms for a roadmap to peace.

"The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace," he said. "It is time for these settlements to stop."

Meanwhile, Mitchell said Tuesday in Israel that the U.S. commitment to Israeli security is "unshakable" and that policy gaps "are not disagreements among adversaries" but between "close allies and friends."

At the same time, Mitchell said the United States is sticking by its goals. He called for an immediate resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and called on both sides to honor past commitments of the "road map" peace plan.

The road map called on Israel to freeze all settlement construction and for the Palestinians to dismantle militant groups as steps toward the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Neither side has fully carried out its obligations.

"We are working hard to achieve the objective of comprehensive peace in the Middle East ... including a Palestinian state, side by side in peace and security with the Jewish state of Israel," Mitchell said at a meeting with Israel's ceremonial president, Shimon Peres.

"We all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations," Mitchell said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.