Clinton plays down feud with Israel, calls ties "unshakable" (Roundup)

Mar 16, 2010, 20:20 GMT

Washington - The historic ties between the United States and Israel are 'unshakable,' US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday, playing down the diplomatic feud over Israeli plans to build new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem.

'We have a close, unshakable bond between the United States and Israel and between the American and Israeli people,' Clinton said. 'But that doesn't mean that we're going to agree. We don't agree with any of our international partners on everything.'

Israel announced plans March 9 to construct 1,600 new housing units, drawing widespread condemnation and endangering US-brokered indirect peace talks with the Palestinians. Adding to US anger was that the announcement came while Vice President Joe Biden was in Israel, timing Clinton described last week as insulting.

The United States opposes any new settlement construction, and Clinton and Biden issued strong statement condemning the plans, prompting worries that US-Israeli relations had hit a low point. Israeli media quoted the ambassador to Washington saying it was the worst crisis in 35 years.

'I don't buy that,' Clinton said while taking questions with Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin.

Nevertheless, George Mitchell, the special US envoy for the Middle East, cancelled plans to travel to Israel this week to begin the indirect talks. State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said Mitchell's original Sunday departure was delayed because the United States was awaiting a response from Benjamin Netanyahu about the concerns raised by Clinton on a telephone call on Friday.

'We did not feel it was fruitful for George to depart Washington on Sunday before hearing from the Israelis,' Crowley said.

Crowley would not reveal the specific issues raised by Clinton, including whether she demanded Netanyahu's government's repeal the construction plans.

'We are now looking for the Israelis to now come back and demonstrate their commitment to the process,' he said.

The United States expects to hear back from Netanyahu later this week, meaning Mitchell can travel to the region after joining Clinton in Moscow on Thursday and Friday for talks with Russia, the European Union and United Nations about the Middle East peace process, Crowley said.

Clinton telephoned Netanyahu on Friday to express frustration about the construction plans and the timing of the announcement, even questioning whether Israel is serious about its relationship with the United States.

Netanyahu has apologized for what was said to have been a bureaucratic mishap, but vowed on Monday to proceed with the plans.

Netanyahu has authorized only a partial freeze on settlement construction, rebuffing US demands for a complete stoppage. The Palestinians want an end to settlements as a condition for resuming direct peace negotiations, and view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.