Posted on 03/13/2010 6:21:24 PM PST by americanophile
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel's relationship with the United States, a defining feature of the troubled Middle East, was under severe strain as diplomats scrambled on Saturday to save newborn U.S.-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians.
A senior U.S. official predicted "a dicey period here in the next couple days to a couple of weeks" as Palestinians demanded the reversal of a new Israeli settlement plan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, which includes pro-settler parties, reacts to unusually blunt criticism from Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israel's behavior "insulting" after it approved 1,600 new homes last week at a settlement in the Jerusalem area on the very day Vice President Joe Biden was there to set a seal on relaunched negotiations.
Biden told Reuters on Friday he believed Netanyahu was
sincere in seeking a deal to give the Palestinians a state and that the premier understood that Israel had "no alternative."
Though Clinton stressed that Washington's ties with the Jewish state were "durable and strong," she had told Netanyahu in a telephone call on Friday that he must act to repair the relationship and show his commitment to an alliance which, she reminded him, was key to Israel's security in a hostile region.
An Israeli official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters that Netanyahu was "conducting consultations with senior cabinet colleagues." He declined to give further details.
Asked what would be Netanyahu's next move to try to restore Israel's relationship with its main ally, the Israeli official said: "We'll know only once the consultations are over."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The “overcharged” one?
The Obamaites vicious attacks against Israel will result in the wrath of G-d being unleashed on America.
Every world leader knows that Ears the Joker is a pussy.
A resoundingly loud vote of No Confidence for Sub Zero and its allies in Congress this November will be as good as recall.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.