Ambassador: U.S.-Israeli Relationship in Crisis

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

(Credit: AP)

Updated 3:22 p.m. Eastern Time

Michael Oren, Irsaeli's ambassador to the United States, "has told the country's diplomats there that U.S.-Israeli relations face their worst crisis in 35 years," according to Haaretz.

The deterioration in diplomatic relations was spurred in part by an Israeli decision to build new housing units in East Jerusalem, an area it captured in the Six Day War in 1967 that the Palestinians want to be the capital of their proposed state.

Anger over the decision to build the housing units was exacerbated by the timing of the announcement of Israeli plans to do so -- during a trip to the region by Vice President Joe Biden in an effort to get peace talks back on track. The announcement was seen as an embarrassment to the vice president, who "unequivocally" condemned it on behalf of the administration. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton believes, according to the State Department, that it sent "a deeply negative signal" for the peace process.

"The announcement of the settlements on the very day that the vice president was there was insulting," Clinton told CNN Friday. The State Department said Clinton called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) to express her displeasure.

That blunt criticism was followed by a statement from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, the powerful lobbying group. AIPAC said "The Obama Administration's recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern. AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State." (Here's the full statement.) The group added that "The Administration should make a conscious effort to move away from public demands and unilateral deadlines directed at Israel."

Biden's trip to Israel was meant in part to stress the strong U.S.-Israeli relationship and came amid an announcement of the resumption of indirect peace talks. But the announcement of plans to build 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem resulted in the opposite message being sent. According to Foreign Policy magazine, Biden reportedly told Netanyahu, after referencing a briefing from US Central Command commander Gen. David Petraeus, "What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Netanyahu, meanwhile, is vowing that building in East Jerusalem will continue and is not rejecting the decision to build the 1,600 new homes. Palestinian leaders say they will not re-engage in direct peace talks unless the decision is overturned.

Clinton plans to speak on the final day of AIPAC's yearly conference in Washington, which is taking place from March 21st through 23rd. Roughly half of the members of Congress traditionally attend some portion of the event. Netanyahu and opposition leader Tzipi Livni are also slated to speak.

J Street, a more liberal and less powerful Israel-focused lobbying group, also issued a statement on Israel-U.S. relations, though it is backing the administration, calling U.S. reaction to the announcement of new building "understandable and appropriate."

House Republican Leader John Boehner issued a statement criticizing the Obama administration's reaction to Israel's announcement as "irresponsible" and "an affront to the values and foundation of our long-term relationship with a close friend and ally."

AIPAC, meanwhile, is emailing supporters and encouraging them to "make statements in support of America's strong relationship with Israel" and "Contact Secretary of State Clinton and urge the United States to immediately defuse the current tension with Israel."

"Most pro-Israel Democrats, along with major Jewish groups, are currently largely on the sidelines; the aim here is to push them into open criticism," writes Politico's Ben Smith.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

30 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 30 Comments


by sunday42 March 16, 2010 10:12 AM EDT: Another blunder by our Islamic president.; Reply to this comment


by seekjustice March 15, 2010 9:21 PM EDT: "That blunt criticism was followed by a statement from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, the powerful lobbying group. AIPAC said "The Obama Administration's recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern. AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State." (Here's the full statement.) The group added that "The Administration should make a conscious effort to move away from public demands and unilateral deadlines directed at Israel."

Does that sound like AIPAC is threatening the White House and the President of the United States? Do they think they're Mafia dons talking to their hired help? It's time to stand up to these criminals, and finally do what is right for American interests. End all US taxpayer aid to Israel, and stop helping their brutal policies of occupation, degradation, starvation, and imprisonment of 1.5 million Palestinians in the world's largest open air prison- Gaza.; Reply to this comment


by KeithDrippingSprings March 15, 2010 6:58 PM EDT: Let Israel go it on their own. I am tired of paying for things I had nothing to do with , Have no interest in , for people that so not desire peace.

You may defend which ever side you wish but I have been watching for 45 years and neither side want peace.

If they are God's chosen people let God take care of them.; Reply to this comment


by abcss24 March 15, 2010 5:49 PM EDT: You are giving muslims more credit than they deserve..... The US/west/nato empowered them to fight the Soviets out of Afganistan ... . They were empowered to the point where they really believed that they are powerfull. Unfortunatly their new acquired powers were used in terrorist activities , fortunatly they are deminishing.
Still what Israel is doing is wrong.; Reply to this comment


by kuassa March 15, 2010 5:20 PM EDT: Do not kid yourself. The war between Israel and the Arab Muslims are based on the Muslims' desire to kill Jews first and other kaffirs later. The saying is widely understandable in the Muslim world: 'Saturday comes first then comes Sunday'. If Israel did not exists there would be other war as there are about 30 worldwide, mostly by Muslims, who can not get along with their neighbors. Before 1948 there was no Israel and that area in the Middle East was a powder keg....always. So when you have the following quote from the Koran, it is not surprising that Islam is a religion of hate, continual war and destruction:

"Kill non-Muslims wherever you find them. Lie in wait and ambush them, seize and capture them using every stratagem of war." (Koran 9:5).

There is no such thing as moderate Muslim. The difference between radical and moderate Muslims are that the moderate one holds the victims feet while the radical Muslim is sawing the victim's head off.

Once Islam can reform itself, as other religions did, they may be accepted in the world as a REAL religion of peace. Not until then.; Reply to this comment

by antoniof123 March 15, 2010 4:57 PM EDT

These Irsaeli's are dumber than dirt. I for one am sick and tried of helping these idiots.

Cut them lose let them go it alone!

Reply to this comment


by Mortar_29 March 15, 2010 5:07 PM EDT: The Administration is dumber than dirt. These guys are geniuses compared to those folks currently running our country!

by formrusmcsgt March 15, 2010 4:37 PM EDT

"The Obama Administration's recent statements regarding the U.S. relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern.
---
And after Israel's shennigans, calls on the administration to make ammends?

How bonkers is that stupidity?

Reply to this comment


by Mortar_29 March 15, 2010 5:08 PM EDT: It is our government that is busy with the shannigans! We cant get a coherent foreign policy...and we take most of our time ticking off our allies.

by sleepwalkee2 March 15, 2010 4:22 PM EDT

How would you feel if someone took your land away form you that your family lived on for the last 1000 years? I don't think you would be happy about it. The U.S. should have never given them everything they wanted,, they have become very spoiled and demanding. They need to reflect on where they have come from and to try harder to be forgiving of those who do not understand there drive to take over all of the Middle East. A spoon of honey gose much farther than a spoon of vinegar.

Reply to this comment


by Mortar_29 March 15, 2010 5:09 PM EDT: The people around the Israelis want them dead. They dont want to negotiate. So, why even try?

by starving1968-3 March 15, 2010 3:54 PM EDT

by hateisafourletterword March 15, 2010 2:29 PM EDT
Why blame Israel for Gaza or the West Bank.

That is like blaming the U.S. for Juarez or Tijuana.

Maybe if Hamas and Fatah did not try to blow up Israeli's or shoot rockets at them, they might see a change. How would you react if your neighbor shot at your home everyday with a rifle? Would you just sit and take it?

So if a military entity came onto YOUR property, ordered you out of YOUR house, bulldozed it and took the deed to YOUR land, then proceeded to put up buildings for squatters, YOU would be at fault for revolting in the ONLY way that you knew how?

Reply to this comment


by mysteryroche March 15, 2010 4:20 PM EDT: Don't be ridiculous. Nobody in the US can remember any history that happened more than three months ago...


by abcss24 March 15, 2010 3:31 PM EDT: The US is being taken for granted .. why ? just never knew how to say no to Israel when NO is deserved.
Israel is becoming the US spoiled kid .Guess who is number one beneficiary from the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? The US ... wrong answer.
Israel keeps emphasizing - and they are right - that they are the only democratic state in the region BUT why on earth they work hard to make sure than no other state in the region becomes democratic???; Reply to this comment