Yes, once friends can turn foes. The relations between Israel and United States are at a 35 year low and this was confirmed on Monday by Israel’s ambassador to Washington who was quoted saying Israel-US relations are “in a crisis of historic proportions.”
However, this comment by Israeli envoy to US Micahel Oren clashes with the statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who sought to downplay the tensions with President Barack Obama on the issue of West Bank settlement talks which threatens to derail the talks between Israel and Palestine.
"Israel's ties with the United States are in their worst crisis since 1975 ... a crisis of historic proportions," the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted Oren as telling other Israeli diplomats in a telephone briefing over the weekend.
However, Israeli Foreign Ministry had nothing to comment. U.S. wanted Israel to usher in the peace process with Palestine as Vice-President Joe Biden supported the plan by Israel to build about 1600 homes for Jews near West Bank land which is adjoining to Jerusalem.
However, U.S secretary of state Hillary Clinton called the whole thing as a hog wash and termed Israel’s attitude as insulting. Though, she refused that bilateral ties between the two nations were at a risk. Netanyahu meanwhile was quite unhappy at her statement and said that it was a diplomatic blunder.
"We know how to deal with these situations -- with equanimity, responsibly and seriously," he said. The place where the Israeli government wants to construct homes for the Jews is Ramat Shlomo, however, Clinton in a telephonic conversation with Netanyahu demanded that the Israeli government should reverse their decision. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials said that a talk between both sides under U.S mediation is not possible if the settlement project by the Israelis is not cancelled.
However, if such a step is taken by the Netanyahu government then it can destabilize his own rule in Israel as most of his coalition partners are in favor of the step. During his visit to Israel, Vice-President Joe Biden was given assurance that settlement work won’t start until the whole matter is resolved. In Washington, however, the influential pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC, called on the Obama administration to take steps to defuse tension with Israel.
“The Obama administration's recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern,” AIPAC said. Netanyahu had assured before the elections that he is duty bound to build in and around Jerusalem as it deals with the sentiments of the Jews. He is due to attend AIPAC’s annual conference next week in Washington.
So on one hand U.S want better control while Israel is not ready to go back in its track, Palestine is also not ready to start talks until the settlement issue is resolved. Is settlement on the Horizon?
