What appeared to be US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s somewhat sympathetic position towards Israel during a motzei shabbos press conference was short lived. The senior visiting US official has quickly reverted back to the position of the current administration, calling on Israel to “do more” regarding settlements.

Clinton explained that America is cognizant of the important steps taken by Jerusalem, but added the government is still falling short of White House demands. Speaking from Morocco, the secretary stated “The Israelis have responded to the call of the US, the Palestinians and the Arab world to stop settlement activity by expressing a willingness to restrain settlement activity.”

She stated the move falls short of expectation, but still represents an unprecedented move in the correct direction.

In the meantime, the PA (Palestinian Authority) remains adamant, demanding a total and unconditional Israeli cessation of construction as a precondition to resuming diplomatic talks, disappointed with Clinton’s weekend shuttle diplomacy visit, having hoped for a stronger pro-PA stance and a harsher position against Israel’s defiance of the Roadmap Plan.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)