Bibi and Barack have a phone chat (UPDATED WITH WHITE HOUSE RELEASE)

Capital J

By Eric Fingerhut · June 8, 2009

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone conversation on Monday about a "series of issues," according to the Israeli prime minister's office, including Netanyahu's planned major policy speech. Not many details, but here's the release from Israel:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama spoke by telephone a short while ago this evening (Monday), 8.6.09. The conversation was positive and dealt with a series of issues. Prime Minister Netanyahu updated President Obama on his intention to make a diplomatic speech at the beginning of next week, in which he will outline his policy to achieve peace and security. U.S. President Obama said that he is looking forward to hearing the speech. The two leaders agreed to continue maintaining an open and continuous contact between them.

The White House just released its readout on the meeting, which states that the conversation lasted 20 minutes, and says the president "reiterated the principal elements of his Cairo speech, including his commitment to Israel's security." Here it is:

The President and Prime Minister had a constructive, 20-minute conversation. The President reiterated the principal elements of his Cairo speech, including his commitment to Israel’s security. He indicated that he looked forward to hearing the Prime Minister’s upcoming speech outlining his views on peace and security. The President also noted that Senator Mitchell would be in Israel again tomorrow as he starts his fourth trip to the region as the Special Envoy for Middle East peace.