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| Clinton begins first Israel visit | Clinton begins first Israel visit |
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| Hillary Clinton is to begin her first visit to Israel and the West Bank as the United States' top diplomat. | Hillary Clinton is to begin her first visit to Israel and the West Bank as the United States' top diplomat. |
| The US secretary of state plans to talk about how to move to a final peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. | The US secretary of state plans to talk about how to move to a final peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. |
| But with Israel still in the process of forming a new government, few are predicting significant progress. | But with Israel still in the process of forming a new government, few are predicting significant progress. |
| Mrs Clinton arrived in Israel from Egypt, where the US and other international donors pledged almost $4.5bn (£3.2bn) for rebuilding Gaza. | Mrs Clinton arrived in Israel from Egypt, where the US and other international donors pledged almost $4.5bn (£3.2bn) for rebuilding Gaza. |
| Speaking at the donor conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Mrs Clinton underlined that the new US administration is committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. | Speaking at the donor conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Mrs Clinton underlined that the new US administration is committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. |
| She also reiterated her personal commitment to a peaceful settlement but hinted that it will require patience. | She also reiterated her personal commitment to a peaceful settlement but hinted that it will require patience. |
| Potential clashes | Potential clashes |
| Mrs Clinton's two days of talks will start in Jerusalem on Tuesday before she is due to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmood Abbas in the West Bank on Wednesday. | Mrs Clinton's two days of talks will start in Jerusalem on Tuesday before she is due to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmood Abbas in the West Bank on Wednesday. |
| The US is Israel's closest ally but there are fears of potential clashes between the two countries. | The US is Israel's closest ally but there are fears of potential clashes between the two countries. |
| Israel's Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu will not openly commit to a two-state solution to the conflict. | Israel's Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu will not openly commit to a two-state solution to the conflict. |
| Meanwhile, the US is critical of Israel's continued building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. | Meanwhile, the US is critical of Israel's continued building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. |
| Our Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says the relationship between the US and Israel may become a little less warm. | Our Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says the relationship between the US and Israel may become a little less warm. |
| He also predicts that American diplomacy will sound a new tone with stronger condemnation of Israeli development in the West Bank, as well as greater pragmatism in dealing with the reality of Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip. | He also predicts that American diplomacy will sound a new tone with stronger condemnation of Israeli development in the West Bank, as well as greater pragmatism in dealing with the reality of Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip. |
| The US regards Hamas as a terrorist organisation and refuses to deal with the group. | |
| Washington donated $900m to Gaza and the Palestinian Authority but it does not want any of the money to end in the hands of Hamas. class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7918089.stm">Clinton's delicate Mid-East tour class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7912068.stm">Palestinians pledge era of unity | |
| Israel's military offensive in December and January killed some 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Thirteen Israelis were killed during the three weeks of violence. | Israel's military offensive in December and January killed some 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. Thirteen Israelis were killed during the three weeks of violence. |
| The Israeli operation was launched to stop rocket attacks from Gaza. Speaking in Egypt, Mrs Clinton said she was troubled that these continued. | The Israeli operation was launched to stop rocket attacks from Gaza. Speaking in Egypt, Mrs Clinton said she was troubled that these continued. |
| On Monday night, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed near the village of Ashkelon in southern Israel, according to the AFP news agency. No injuries or damage were reported. | On Monday night, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed near the village of Ashkelon in southern Israel, according to the AFP news agency. No injuries or damage were reported. |
| As many as 120 rockets, fired from the strip, have been counted since the two sides entered into a ceasefire on 18 January, AFP says. | As many as 120 rockets, fired from the strip, have been counted since the two sides entered into a ceasefire on 18 January, AFP says. |