Netanyahu Congratulates Obama, Says Alliance Stronger than Ever

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on his re-election, saying ties between their two countries were "stronger than ever."

"The prime minister congratulates the president of the United States for his victory in the election," Netanyahu said in a statement. "The strategic alliance between Israel and the United States is stronger than ever."

"I will continue to work with President Obama to ensure the vital security interests of Israel and the United States," Netanyahu added.

Relations between Obama and Netanyahu have at times been tense, with the Israeli leader appearing to throw his support behind Obama's Republican opponent Mitt Romney during the election campaign.

But in recent weeks, as Obama's re-election looked increasingly likely, Israeli officials stressed that a second term for the U.S. president would not mean a deterioration in bilateral ties.

Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak also offered Obama his congratulations, saying he expected the U.S. president to continue to offer Israel strong support.

"I have no doubt that the Obama administration will continue its policy whereby Israel's security is at its very foundations, as well as its efforts to tackle the challenges facing all of us in the region," he said in a statement.

"I believe that in the tradition of deep friendship and with a backdrop of shared experiences accrued with President Obama, it will also be possible to overcome any differences in stance, should they arise."

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom offered a similar assessment.

"All the U.S. administrations have supported Israel on the political, security and economic fronts because we have common interests and values," he told public radio.

"Barack Obama has been with us during the most sensitive moments," he added. "Those who say that it will be hard and that there will be a confrontation during the second Obama term are wrong."