Middle East

Clinton Calls for Renewed Peace Effort

Defends opposition to Jerusalem settlements.

How’s this for reassurance? "For President Obama, for me, and for this entire administration, our commitment to Israel's security and Israel's future is rock solid, unwavering, enduring and forever," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told 7,000 delegates at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual conference on Monday. She reiterated, however that it is “impossible … [that] the status quo can be sustained.” She called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take steps such as “demonstrating respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, stopping settlement activity, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” She emphasized that the flareup over settlements in East Jerusalem during Joe Biden’s visit were “not about wounded pride”; “This is about getting to the table, creating and protecting an atmosphere of trust around it, and staying there until the job is done.”