Netanyahu. Adopting a quieter approach
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Photo: Matty Stern, US Embassy
PM: Disagreements with US 'temporary'
In New York meeting with senior media figures, Netanyahu plays down recent differences of opinion with US
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down the heat Wednesday and said differences of opinion between the US and Israel were "temporary." On Tuesday, the prime minister responded with unprecedented vigor to US declarations against renewed settlement construction but on Wednesday, during a meeting with senior figures from US media, he spoke in more conciliatory terms.
The "differences" reached a peak when US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said construction in east Jerusalem was not conducive to the negotiations. Netanyahu retorted that Jerusalem is not a settlement.
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During the meeting in New York, the prime minister was asked about differences of opinion between the US and Israel. He asserted that such differences were only temporary. He added that in his dealings with the US administration, he concentrated on issues that would have long-term effects on any peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu detailed the Israeli government's position on Iran and the peace process. He is expected to meet Clinton on Thursday to discuss the need to reach wide-ranging understandings with the US about Israeli security needs in light of the significant security challenges expected in the coming decade.
He said the chances of achieving a peace deal would be much greater if security understandings could be reached with the US. He is also expected to raise the issue of peace agreements with a wider circle of Arab states in parallel to an agreement with the Palestinians.
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