U.S. declines to confirm reported tense Netanyahu call

The U.S. State Department declined to confirm a report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke angrily with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday.

The New York Times reported that the telephone conversation was furious. It was also reported that Netanyahu reacted angrily in response to President Barack Obama's proposal that Israel's pre-1967 borders should serve as home to a new Palestinian state.

I can confirm, as we do, that she did speak to Prime Minister Netanyahu before his trip. Obviously we don't get into the substance, but clearly they discussed the president's speech, said State Department spokesman Mark Toner Friday.

I'd just it was a frank and cordial exchange reflecting their close relationship, Toner furthered. I don't want to get into what (the) press accounts may have been. ... They discussed the speech and his (then) upcoming visit.

A senior Israeli official confirmed that the call took place.