US-Israeli Ties Are ‘Unshakeable’: Hillary Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday hailed the “unshakeable bond” between the United States and Israel in an effort to quell the diplomatic spat that has rocked ties between Washington and its closest Middle East ally.

We have an absolute commitment to Israel’s security. We have a close, unshakeable bond between the United States and Israel, Clinton told a news briefing. Her comments marked a turn after days of tough US talk following Israel’s announcement last week that it would approve construction of a housing project in East Jerusalem, a move which infuriated the Palestinians and put hopes for resumption of Middle East peace talks on hold.

The US secretary of state, who last week called Israel’s announcement “insulting”, on Tuesday brushed away suggestions that the US-Israeli relationship was in the midst of its worst crisis in decades.

We share common values and a commitment to a democratic future for the world, and we are both committed to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, she said. But that does not mean that we are going to agree. We do not agree with any of our international partners on everything, she added.