Rivlin: Israel's foreign policy is based on US ties

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin weighed in on the escalating crisis in relations between the US and Israel, saying "Israel's foreign policy is based on three principles – the first is US ties; the second – US ties; and the third, and no less important – US ties."

Nonetheless, Rivlin, a rightist from Netayahu's Likud party, said the settlement construction that fueled the crisis was "not a provocation," but added that such construction should not be announced as retribution for a terror attacks or riots.

"If it was done as a provocation or as an attempt to exact a price in response to terror then it is wrong," Rivlin told Army Radio in an exclusive interview.