Seeking to distance himself from reports that he may have acted as a go-between to arrange a meeting with US President Barak Obama and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is quoted in the Chicago Sun Times saying “I am not a conduit between Israel and the White House”.

The former Obama administration White House chief of staff explained that he does maintain ties with President Obama, but if Israel wishes to contact the White House, Jerusalem knows how to go about it and he is not acting as a conduit towards promoting such efforts.

It was reported that during a visit to the United States, Defense Minister Ehud Barak was meeting with Emanuel towards seeking out his assistance to arrange a meeting with President Barak Obama. Officials in the defense minister’s office refused to confirm or deny the integrity of those reports.

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office denied sending Barak to meet with Emanuel towards mending ties with the White House.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)