Tapper to W.H.’s Ben Rhodes: Isn’t Obama Sending Mixed Messages to Israel?

Tapper vs. WH's Rhodes: Obama Says Iran Deal In "Best Interest" For Israel, But Also Says WH is "Reassessing Relationship" (RealClearPolitics)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN: Joining me now to discuss this all is President Obama's deputy national security advisor for strategic communications, Ben Rhodes. Good to see you. Thanks for joining us. The president says that he's disturbed, concerned, personally upset by the fact that people are saying that he doesn't necessarily have Israel's security at heart, but the White House has said very clearly that they are reassessing the relationship with Israel. There seems to be a contradiction there. 

BEN RHODES, WHITE HOUSE: Absolutely not, Jake. When it comes to Israel’s security, our military and intelligence cooperation, that's off limits. That’s protected. That is sacrosanct. What we said is on the very specific issue of the Palestinians and how do we pursue a two-state solution, we are reviewing options as it relates to the Palestinian issue. That’s entirely separate and apart from our ongoing security cooperation with Israel which as you know has been unprecedented under this administration. Frankly, again, the president's view of this Iran deal is this is the best way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon which is in the interests of the United States and the entire world, including Israel.