After a meeting considered as important for symbolism as for substance, Mr Obama and Mr Netanyahu appeared side-by-side seeking to project an image of unity after ties reached a low point in March over Israeli settlement expansion.

They agreed on the need to resume face-to-face peace talks and on their concern about Iran’s nuclear programme, while avoiding past differences over US-led peace efforts.

"We expect proximity talks to lead to direct talks," Obama told reporters after an 80-minute session with Netanyahu.

Offering his first suggestion of a timetable to step up Middle East negotiations, Obama said he hoped direct discussions would get going "well before" a 10-month Israeli moratorium on new housing construction in West Bank settlements expires in September.

Meeting this timeframe will likely require serious US arm-twisting on both sides.

Netanyahu again called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to meet him one-on-one and move from the current U.S.-mediated "proximity talks" to direct negotiations on Palestinian statehood.