Lieberman laments world's criticism of Israel
Foreign minister speaks with UN secretary general, claims Israeli gestures not appreciated by international community, being taken for granted
Amid growing crisis with the United States, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he does not understand why the world continues to draw criticism on Israel – despite its gestures during the past year.
Lieberman's comments were said during a Monday night telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, ahead of the Quartet meeting and Ban's anticipated visit in Moscow.
The foreign minister told the secretary general that all the efforts and positive steps taken by Israel this year, including the Bar Ilan speech, the construction freeze in the West Bank, the removal of checkpoints and other gestures – have been taken for granted by the international community.
Lieberman added that Israel did not receive any positive incentives or encouragement as a result of these unilateral initiatives. Instead, Lieberman said, more and more complaints were being raised – and Israel is pressured to comply with new demands.
The Yisrael Beiteinu chairman told Ban that Israel expects a more objective and constructive approach from the international community.
In regards to the UN chief's expected visit to Gaza, Lieberman said that there is no humanitarian crisis in the Strip. He added that Israel knows from past experience that Gaza's demand to allow construction material and metals into the Strip will result in Hamas confiscating the goods and using them to build bunkers and rockets.
Meanwhile, the crisis with the White House continues to deepen. The American Embassy in Tel Aviv on Tuesday morning announced that US Special Envoy George Mitchell's visit to the region has been postponed. According to the plan, Mitchell was slated to meet Tuesday evening with President Shimon Peres.
US publication The New York Times reported that US President Barack Obama was shocked by Israel's plan to continue building in east Jerusalem, and was responsible for the harsh American response. The paper further claimed that Mitchell's visit was postponed due to the latest rift between the two old allies.
