Israeli officials have been building pressure on the U.S. by suggesting in statements and leaks that Israel is ready to attack Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomatic efforts stall. American officials have publicly urged Israel not to strike Iran, and privately have asked the leadership not to attack without consultations, officials say.
U.S. officials say Obama does not accept the idea of a deal in which Israel would make concessions on Palestinian issues only after the U.S. makes strides on the Iranian standoff. Nonetheless, Obama has signaled that he will take Israel's concerns into account and that the administration is considering its request to set a deadline for the U.S. overtures to Iran.
After taking a hard stance, Netanyahu is positioned to come out of today's meeting appearing ready to compromise. He has signaled his support for the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan drawn up in 2002, which calls for reciprocal steps toward peace that would probably take years.
For Obama, the issue is whether he is willing to scale back his ambitions in favor of a more gradual process that might someday yield a deal, but that also might fall victim to those who don't favor a two-state result, including Palestinian militants and Israeli settlers.
Advocates for peace argue that because of ongoing settlement growth and the disillusionment of the Palestinians, the chances for a two-state solution are dwindling.
Britain's Tony Blair, the former prime minister who is now a Mideast peace envoy, emphasized in a meeting with Congress last week that time is limited.
Though reluctant to call this the last chance, Blair voiced a note of anxiety. "Up until the end of this year, there is a critical window of opportunity," he said.
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paul.richter@latimes.com
Times staff writer Richard Boudreaux in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
