AFP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a public apology to the visiting US vice president on Thursday, hoping to defuse a row over settlements that prompted a Palestinian boycott of indirect peace talks. Vice President Joe Biden welcomed Netanyahu's statement but again criticised Israel's decision to approve construction of 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in Arab east Jerusalem, announced during his visit this week. Israel's right-wing prime minister, who supports expanding Jewish communities in annexed east Jerusalem, said he had spoken to Biden and "expressed his regret for the unfortunate timing."
Vice President Joe Biden welcomed Netanyahu's statement but again criticised Israel's decision to approve construction of 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in Arab east Jerusalem, announced during his visit this week.
Israel's right-wing prime minister, who supports expanding Jewish communities in annexed east Jerusalem, said he had spoken to Biden and "expressed his regret for the unfortunate timing."
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has warned the Israeli prime minister, that his government was putting US ties at risk by failing to take action towards renewed Middle East peace talks, a US spokesman says. In a telephone call to Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday, Clinton expressed frustration over Israel's announcement on Tuesday to build new settlements on Palestinian land. P.J. Crowley, the US state department spokesman, said Clinton told Netanyahu the announcement was a "deeply negative signal about Israel's approach to the bilateral relationship ... and had undermined trust and confidence in the peace process." "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. He said Clinton 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. Asked if the tone of the call was angry, Crowley said "frustration would be a better term."
Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has warned the Israeli prime minister, that his government was putting US ties at risk by failing to take action towards renewed Middle East peace talks, a US spokesman says.
In a telephone call to Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday, Clinton expressed frustration over Israel's announcement on Tuesday to build new settlements on Palestinian land.
P.J. Crowley, the US state department spokesman, said Clinton told Netanyahu the announcement was a "deeply negative signal about Israel's approach to the bilateral relationship ... and had undermined trust and confidence in the peace process."
"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.
He said Clinton 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.
Asked if the tone of the call was angry, Crowley said "frustration would be a better term."
