March 3, 2014 7:53 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON—Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
said the U.S.-Israel relationship remains "unshakable" as U.S.
lawmakers reiterated their support for efforts to prevent Iran from
obtaining a nuclear weapon.Mr. Netanyahu, speaking to reporters alongside top House lawmakers, paraphrased a quip from fictional spy James Bond in describing the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem.
"My view of the American-Israeli relationship is that it's…stirred but not shaken. Which means it is unshakable and it is stirred by the sentiments of great empathy and identification that animate the people of Israel and the people of the United States," Mr. Netanyahu said from the U.S. Capitol.
The comments came as the Israeli leader held a series of meetings at the White House and with House and Senate leaders. A key focus for all sides was ongoing talks between Iran and Western powers over a path forward to restricting Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.), appearing alongside Mr. Netanyahu, said the U.S. alliance with Israel is "often tested, but never shaken."
"We must be firm and continue to remind the world that we will always stand with Israel and that stance will never be limited," Mr. Cantor said.
Mr. Cantor and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) on Monday started circulating a letter to President Barack Obama outlining what they believe should be in any final agreement between international powers and Iran. The two lawmakers said any agreement should result in the end of Iran's enrichment facilities and dismantling of its heavy-water reactor, as well as unfettered access for international inspectors to suspected Iranian facilities and scientists.
"None of us desires military conflict, but as you yourself have acknowledged, we must keep all options on the table to prevent this dangerous regime from acquiring nuclear weapons," Messrs. Cantor and Hoyer wrote.
Write to Michael R. Crittenden at michael.crittenden@wsj.com
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