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US Israel support 'unshakeable' US Israel support 'unshakeable'
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has restated her country's "unshakable support for Israel, following a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has restated "unshakeable" support for Israel, whatever type of government emerges from current coalition talks.
She is on her first visit to the region as the top diplomat of the new administration or Barack Obama. Mrs Clinton is on her first visit to the region as the top diplomat of Barack Obama's US administration.
Mrs Clinton plans to talk about how to move to a final peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes some key US policies, has been asked to form Israel's next government.
But with Israel still in the process of forming a new government, few are predicting significant progress. Mrs Clinton also announced two senior US officials would head for Syria, Israel's long-time foe, for talks.
Mrs Clinton arrived in Israel from Egypt, where the US and other international donors pledged almost $4.5bn (£3.2bn) for rebuilding Gaza. There is no doubt that any nation, including Israel, cannot stand idly by while its territory and people are subjected to rocket attacks Hillary Clinton "We are going to be sending two officials to Syria. There are a number of issues that we have between Syria and the US, as well as the larger regional concerns that Syria obviously poses," Mr Clinton said.
Her two days of talks started in Jerusalem. She will also be holding separate talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Syria had engaged in indirect negotiations with the outgoing Israeli government on the fate of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
On Wednesday, she is due to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmood Abbas in the West Bank. The US has kept Damascus at arms length for several years, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and destabilising its Arab neighbours.
However, analysts say recent diplomatic moves could be a prelude to restoring a US ambassador in Damascus.
Democratic will
Mrs Clinton arrived in Israel from Egypt, where the US and other international donors pledged almost $4.5bn (£3.2bn) for rebuilding Gaza. I know this is a sensitive time in Israeli politics as the process of forming a new government unfolds. This is a matter for the Israeli people Hillary Clinton
She has held talks in Jerusalem with the mainly ceremonial president, Shimon Peres, before going on for a meeting with outgoing Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
She is also due to meet Mr Netanyahu and the caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
On Wednesday, she will enter the West Bank for more talks Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who was present Monday's Egyptian-hosted aid conference in Sharm el-Sheikh.
After meeting Mr Peres, Mrs Clinton said it was important to underscore the "unshakeable, durable and fundamental" US support for the state of Israel… [and] our "unrelenting commitment to Israel's security".After meeting Mr Peres, Mrs Clinton said it was important to underscore the "unshakeable, durable and fundamental" US support for the state of Israel… [and] our "unrelenting commitment to Israel's security".
"The continuing rocket attacks against Israel must cease. There is no doubt that any nation, including Israel, cannot stand idly by while its territory and people are subjected to rocket attacks," she added. "We will work with the government of Israel that represents the democratic will of the people of Israel," Mrs Clinton said.
At the donor conference in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, Mrs Clinton underlined that the new US administration is committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Mrs Clinton has repeatedly said the new US administration is committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state as the best way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She also reiterated her personal commitment to a peaceful settlement but hinted that it will require patience. Mr Netanyahu has not endorsed this view, and he campaigned on pledges to concentrate on economic development of the Palestinian territories, which were occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, rather than political deals.
"I know this is a sensitive time in Israeli politics as the process of forming a new government unfolds. This is a matter for the Israeli people to decide under Israeli law," she added.
Potential clashesPotential clashes
The US is Israel's closest ally but there are fears of potential tensions between the two countries. The BBC's Middle East correspondent Tim Franks says the relationship between the US and Israel may become a little less warm than it was under the Bush administration.
Israel's Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu will not openly commit to a two-state solution to the conflict. American diplomacy may sound a new tone with stronger condemnation of Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, as well as greater pragmatism in dealing with the reality of Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip, he adds.
Meanwhile, the US is critical of Israel's continued building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. 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 class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6139&edition=2">Send us your comments
The BBC's 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 settlement building 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 up in the hands of Hamas. Clinton's delicate Mid-East tourPalestinians pledge era of unitySend us your comments
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.
Rocket hits Ashkelon
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel on Monday night, the Israeli army reported.A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel on Monday night, the Israeli army reported.
The rocket came to ground in the city of Ashkelon. There were no reports of injury or damage.The rocket came to ground in the city of Ashkelon. There were no reports of injury or damage.
On Monday, the Israeli government lodged an official complaint with the United Nations about the continued rocket fire form Gaza. On Monday, the Israeli government lodged an official complaint with the United Nations about the continued rocket fire from Gaza.
"The government of Israel will continue to safeguard its citizens and will do everything in its power to ensure that the situation in the south will not go back to what it was before December 2008," the letter read."The government of Israel will continue to safeguard its citizens and will do everything in its power to ensure that the situation in the south will not go back to what it was before December 2008," the letter read.
"Israel will not endure and will respond in kind to attacks against its citizens.""Israel will not endure and will respond in kind to attacks against its citizens."
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.
Israel launched a major military offensive on Gaza in December and January, in which 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.