MODERATOR: Next question. CBS News, please.QUESTION: Sorry. This is Charlie Wolfson of CBS for the American Network pool. Secretary Clinton, in the wake of Vice President Biden’s visit to Jerusalem, you used the word “insulting” for events that took place there. Is the Obama Administration past that phase and – in this relationship with Israel? Do you plan to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he’s in Washington? And have you spoken with any of the Palestinian leaders in addition to the fact that you’ve now spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Charlie, as the Quartet statement makes very clear, we are all committed to the launching of proximity talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Senator Mitchell, who was here for the meeting, will be going to brief more of our European allies and then will be in the region to speak with both the Israelis and the Palestinians. He expects to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu before the prime minister leaves for the United States.
I expect to see the prime minister when he and I both address the AIPAC conference in Washington. Our relationship is ongoing. It is deep and broad. It is strong and enduring, and we believe that the launch of the proximity talks is very much in Israel’s interests as it is in the interests of the Palestinians. And to that end, we hope to see those talks commence as soon as possible.
So, she never did answer that question, which is insulting.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- New Israeli construction on land claimed by the Palestinians threatens peace efforts and undermines America's ability to help end the Arab-Israeli conflict, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told a leading Jewish organization Monday. Israel's recent announcement of new housing in east Jerusalem exposed differences between the U.S. and the Jewish state that others could exploit, Clinton said. Her remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee were friendly, but contained a blunt account of a severe diplomatic breach between the close allies over what the United States sees as the provocative and shortsighted expansion of Jewish settlements and other housing on land claimed by Palestinians. Clinton defended the Obama administration's strong criticism of a recent large housing announcement because she said it hurt attempts to launch peace talks in which the United States will be the intermediary.
