In what marked his third meeting with a world leader in a week, United States president Donald Trump has welcomed a man he calls an old friend.
He continuously referred to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his nickname, Bibi.
And the feeling was clearly mutual, with Mr Netanyahu expressing his excitement at a mutual opportunity the pair present for one another.
"For the first time in my lifetime, and for the first time in the life of my country, Arab countries in the region do not see Israel as an enemy but, increasingly, as an ally. And I believe that, under your leadership, this change in our region creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen security and advance peace. Let us seize this moment together. Let us bolster security. Let us seek new avenues of peace."
During their White House meeting, the focus quickly shifted to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President Trump backed away from a long-standing US policy dating back to the Clinton administration, no longer insisting on a Palestinian state as part of a peace accord.
"I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like. I can live with either one. I thought for a while that two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two. But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians, if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best."
Palestinians widely see the development of settlements in the West Bank as fracturing relations with Israel.
Mr Netanyahu has downplayed that idea.
"I believe that the issue of the settlements is not the core of the conflict, nor does it really drive the conflict. I think it's an issue. It has to be resolved in the context of peace negotiations. And I think we also are going to speak about it, President Trump and I, so we can arrive at an understanding so we don't keep on bumping into each other all time on this issue. And we're going to discuss this."
But President Trump says Israel needs to refrain, at least temporarily, from building further settlements.
"As far as settlements, I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit. We'll work something out. But I would like to see a deal be made. I think a deal will be made. Bibi and I have known each other a long time. A smart man, great negotiator. And I think we're going to make a deal. It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand. That's a possibility. So let's see what we do."
(Netanyahu:) "Let's try."
(Trump:) "Doesn't sound too optimistic, but .... good negotiator."
(Netanyahu:) "That's the art of the deal."
And, to achieve peace, President Trump says both sides need to compromise.
"The Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard -- it's hard to do. They're going to have to show the fact that they really want to make a deal. I can tell you, from the standpoint of Bibi and from the standpoint of Israel, I really believe they want to make a deal. I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they're taught from a very young age. You can talk about flexibility there, too, but it starts at a very young age, and they have to acknowledge Israel -- they're going to have to do that. And I think they're going to be willing to do that, also."
Palestinian officials have reaffirmed their readiness to "deal positively," as they put it, with the Trump administration to make peace.
But Mr Netanyahu warns there are two prerequisites for Israel to come to the negotiating table.
"It's the recognition of the Jewish state, and it's Israel's ... Israel's security control of the entire area. Otherwise, we are just fantasising. Otherwise, we'll get another failed state, another terrorist ... Islamist dictatorship, that will not work for peace but work to destroy us -- but also destroy any hope for a peaceful future for our people. Now, unfortunately, the Palestinians vehemently reject both prerequisites for peace."
The two leaders also used their joint media conference to condemn Iran for its ballistic-missile testing and warn Iran its nuclear deal is under scrutiny.
And Mr Trump also expressed support for a push to move the Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, saying he would love to see it.
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