Hillarysworld

"Israel Was Insulting To The United States During The Vice President's Visit" Hillary Clinton



CNN Source video of Interview

-----------------------------

"Hillary Clinton's tough talk with Bibi Netanyahu" (Laura Rozen, Politico, 3/12/10)

"
Hillary Clinton's tough talk with Bibi Netanyahu


Hillary Clinton speaks at the State Department March 11, 2010.
Hillary Clinton expresses opposition to Israel creating settlements in East Jerusalem. Photo: AP

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stepped up U.S. criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his government’s announcement during Vice President Joe Biden's goodwill trip to Israel this week that it plans to approve construction of 1,600 more Jewish homes in contested East Jerusalem.

Clinton called Netanyahu Friday morning to tell him she considered the announcement “a deeply negative signal” about Israel’s relationship with the U.S., State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said at today's press briefing.

She added that she also considered it “counter to the spirit of the vice president’s trip” and said it “had undermined trust and confidence in the peace process and in America’s interests," according to Crowley.

Clinton’s call was the latest U.S. rebuke of Netanyahu since his government’s announcement about the settlements. Biden first issued a sharp condemnation of the controversial housing plan, saying it “undermines trust” and “runs counter” to just-announced plans for U.S.-mediated proximity talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. He then showed up more than an hour and a half late to dinner Tuesday night at Netanyahu’s residence, making no effort to hide that he arrived only after intense consultations with Washington on how to respond.

On Thursday he reiterated his criticism during a speech at Tel Aviv University .

Netanyahu reportedly apologized for the timing of the announcement by a member of his right-wing governing coalition, the Shas party, and claimed to be in the dark about it.

"The secretary said she could not understand how this happened, particularly in light of the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s security," Crowley said at Friday’s briefing. "And she made clear that the Israeli government needed to demonstrate not just through words but through specific actions that they are committed to this relationship and to the peace process."

Continues @ Politico.com
"