Clinton: Israel rift a challenge
Secretary of state avoids criticism of Israel while speaking in Moscow, calls for resumption of talks between Palestinians, Israelis; meanwhile, Obama Administration mulling introduction of American peace initiative
WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has described a rift with Israel over a Jerusalem construction project as a challenge, avoiding criticism of the Israeli government.
Clinton on Thursday called for a re-launch of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis in an effort to achieve a two-state solution. She said the US is still committed to brokering a peace deal.
The secretary of state is currently in Moscow for talks among the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators - the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.
Meanwhile, senior Obama Administration officials have been looking into the possibility of modifying the US conduct in respect to promoting the peace process, as result of the failure to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
US wants Israeli unity government
One possibility being examined by senior officials in recent days is the introduction of an American peace initiative and the benefits and risks such move would entail.
This is not the first time the White House has looked into the option of presenting a peace plan that would express the US position regarding the ultimate outcome of negotiations. Discussion of this possibility seems to indicate that President Obama has not yet given up on his desire to advance the peace process.
One benefit seen by the US in respect to introducing a plan is that such initiative would force Prime Minister Netanyahu to choose between peace talks and his rightist coalition. The US Administration would like to see the PM forming a coalition with Tzipi Livni's Kadima, yet US officials have refrained from making public statements to that effect as not to appear to be interfering in domestic Israeli politics.
