Clinton calls Isreali announcement of new settlements insulting

Sudan News.Net
Saturday 13th March, 2010

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said Friday that Israel’s announcement of new settlement construction in disputed territory in East Jerusalem was "insulting" to the United States.

Her statement came following the announcement made by Israel during the high-profile visit of the Vice President of the US, Joe Biden, who at the time characterized the announcement as embarrassing.

The visit was part of measures taken to set up talks to nudge the two sides toward a peaceful solution to the ongoing and circular patterns of violence.

"We have to make clear to our Israeli friends and partners that the two-state solution, which we support, which the prime minister himself says he supports, requires confidence-building measures on both sides," Clinton told CNN's Jill Dougherty, adding that the US-Israeli relationship was not at risk.

Israel has been accused from many corners of going out of its way to embarrass the Obama Administration, and make it seem weak on foreign policy.

Commenting on whether Prime Minister Netanyahu knew of the coming announcement during Biden's visit, Hillary Clinton said "He (Netanyahu) is the prime minister. Like the president or secretary of state...ultimately, you are responsible."

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