Rommey, Obama speak with Netanyahu by phone

(JTA) — Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about recent developments in the Middle East.

The conversation with Romney on Sept. 28 came about 10 minutes after Netanyahu spoke for 20 minutes with President Obama. The calls came after both Obama and Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly.

“The Prime Minister and the Governor agreed that an Iran with nuclear weapons capability is unacceptable,” Romney traveling press secretary Rick Gorka told CNN. “They also discussed recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa generally. Governor Romney reiterated his belief that the United States has no greater friend and ally in the region than Israel.”

The press secretary also said that Romney and Netanyahu agreed that “the largest security threat to Israel and the entire world is a nuclear-capable Iran.”

Romney met with Netanyahu when he visited Israel in the summer.

Following the Sept. 28 conversation between Obama and Netanyahu, the White House released a statement saying: “The two leaders discussed a range of security issues, and the President reaffirmed his and our country’s unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security. The two leaders underscored that they are in full agreement on the shared goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
 

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