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The US has affirmed its "unshakeable" and "unbreakable" bond with Israel amid the allies' most public spat in years over Israel's announcement that it would build 1,600 new settler homes.
"We have an absolute commitment to Israel's security. We have a close, unshakeable bond between the United States and Israel," Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said in Washington on Tuesday.
Her comments appeared to be much softer in tone following days of tough rhetoric after Israel announced last week that it would approve construction of a Jewish housing project in East Jerusalem, infuriating the Palestinians and jeopardizing newly agreed indirect talks.
Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, echoed Clinton's conciliatory tone, saying "mature bilateral relationships can have disagreements and this is one of those disagreements - it does not break the unbreakable bond we have" with Israel.
The White House has been criticized by US legislators and pro-Israel lobby groups for its harsh stance towards Israel, which analysts said was very likely one reason for its softer tone on Tuesday.
Moving forward
Last week, Clinton called Israel's announcement, during a visit by Joe Biden, the US vice-president, "an insult to the United States".
But on Tuesday, she said that the US and Israel "share common values and a commitment to a democratic future for the world, and we are both committed to a two-state solution".
Clinton said that, while the United States had expressed "dismay and disappointment" over the Israeli announcement, it was now time to move forward.
"I think we'll see what the next days hold and we're looking forward to Senator [George] Mitchell returning to the region and beginning the proximity talks," she said.
However, Clinton again pressed Israel to show it was serious about making peace with the Palestinians.
"We are engaged in very active consultations with the Israelis over steps that we think would demonstrate the requisite commitment to the process," Clinton said in an appearance with Ireland's visiting foreign minister.
Mark Regev, an Israeli government spokesman, said: "Israel appreciates and values the warm words of Secretary of State Clinton about the deep ties between Israel and the U.S. and the commitment of the US to Israel's security.
PHOTO CAPTION
US Vice President Joe Biden hands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a pen to sign a certificate at the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on March 9.
Agencies
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