Bibi, in Washington, thanks President Obama

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday moved beyond the war of words between his office and the White House, publicly thanking President Obama for working to secure American support of Isreal’s defense needs for the next decade.

Netanyahu told delegates to the Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly, in Washington, that on Monday in the White House he had a “wonderful discussion with President Obama” on defense aid.

He noted the importance of Obama’s commitment to bolstering Israel’s qualitative military edge, so that Israel can defend itself—by itself—against any threat.

Israel is reportedly seeking an increase in annual aid from $3 billion to $5 billion.

The U.S. and Israel “can and should work together now” to ensure that Iran complies with the agreement and to curb Iranian aggression throughout the Middle East, Netanyahu told the assembly, declaring that “no matter what disagreements there are between Israel and the United States, Israel has no better friend than America and America has no better friend than Israel.”

Just as America and Israel stand together, so too must Jews, he continued:

“There is only one Jewish people and there is only one Jewish state. Now more than ever we must work to unite the Jewish people and secure the Jewish state,” he said.

“No matter what disagreements there have been within the Jewish community,  maintaining the unity of our people is of paramount importance.”

Commenting on Israel’s values, the prime minister said, “I know that all of you are proud of Israel’s outstanding technological achievements, but I think we should no less be proud of Israel’s values.”

“This is democracy,” Netanyahu said, adding, “What is truly remarkable is that Israel upholds these values in the darkest and most oppressive region on Earth.”