US Says Israeli Bond 'Unshakeable'

US says Israeli bond 'unshakeable'
Written by Agencies | Media With Conscience

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 jeopardising 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. Read more.