As the Obama Administration pushes for a Palestinian jihad base — er, state, the Secretary of State implies that Israel is no longer a friend of the United States. “Clinton: US to ‘vigorously’ promote peace efforts,” by Matti Friedman for Associated Press, March 3 (thanks to Eu Wei Choi):
JERUSALEM — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised Tuesday to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with the country’s next leader: Movement toward the establishment of a Palestinian state is “inescapable.”
At the same time, Clinton said she would not dictate orders to Israel, saying the Jewish state would determine its interests. She also pledged “unrelenting” support for Israel’s security.
Clinton also said the U.S. would soon send two envoys to Syria for “preliminary conversations.” It was the most significant sign yet that the Obama administration is ready to mend relations with the Damascus regime. The U.S. withdrew its ambassador in 2005, accusing Syria of supporting terrorism.
“We have no way to predict what the future with our relations concerning Syria might be,” she told a Jerusalem news conference. “There has to be some perceived benefit of doing so for the United States and our allies and our shared values. But I think it is a worthwhile effort to go and begin these preliminary conversations.”
Clinton lamented that President Barack Obama’s attempts to reach out to Syrian ally Iran have so far been unsuccessful. The U.S. and Israel accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons and supporting anti-Israel militant groups.
Clinton, seeking to calm her Israeli hosts, said diplomacy should not be confused with softness.
“When we talk about engagement with Iran, do not be in any way confused, our goal remains the same: to dissuade and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and continuing to fund terrorism,” she said. “Whatever we do will be done thoughtfully in consultation with our friends and Israel, most particularly Israel.”…