Netanyahu Moves to Ease Tensions With US
VOA News 17 March 2010
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Obama administration's support for Israel Wednesday, in an apparent bid to ease one of their sharpest diplomatic disputes in years.
Mr. Netanyahu said Wednesday he has a deep appreciation for President Barack Obama's commitment to Israel's security and the deep ties shared by the countries.
Diplomatic relations became strained last week after Israel announced plans to expand a settlement in disputed East Jerusalem, just as the United States prepared to launch indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The United States condemned Israel's housing plan and has asked Israel to show its commitment to restarting peace negotiations. U.S. officials say they expect Mr. Netanyahu to phone Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as early as Wednesday with Israel's response.
Clinton is scheduled to depart late Wednesday for Moscow, where she will take part in a meeting of the Middle East Quartet of peace negotiators. U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell will also attend.
Both the United States and Israel took steps to ease relations on Tuesday.
Clinton said the United States shares a "close, unshakable" bond with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a statement saying Israel "appreciates and values" what he called Clinton's "warm words" and the U.S. commitment to Israel's security.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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