(Haaretz).U.S. President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, reaffirmed Sunday his country's allegiance to Israel, amid tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over Israeli construction in the West Bank.
"The American commitment to Israel's security is unshakable and will not change," Mitchell told Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Mitchell, whose visit to Israel followed a trip to Syria, said ongoing talks between the United States and Israel were "discussions among friends."
Speaking at Barak's Tel Aviv office, the envoy added the talks were "intended to help what we share in common, a desire for comprehensive peace in the Middle East and that includes Israel and Palestine, Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon and normal relations with all countries In the regions."
Barak, for his part, thanked Michell for U.S. efforts to bring about regional peace, especially with regard to an Israeli-Palestinian accord.
"I can tell you that we are ready to take whatever effort to make it happen," he pledged to Mitche
"The American commitment to Israel's security is unshakable and will not change," Mitchell told Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Mitchell, whose visit to Israel followed a trip to Syria, said ongoing talks between the United States and Israel were "discussions among friends."
Speaking at Barak's Tel Aviv office, the envoy added the talks were "intended to help what we share in common, a desire for comprehensive peace in the Middle East and that includes Israel and Palestine, Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon and normal relations with all countries In the regions."
Barak, for his part, thanked Michell for U.S. efforts to bring about regional peace, especially with regard to an Israeli-Palestinian accord.
"I can tell you that we are ready to take whatever effort to make it happen," he pledged to Mitche