U.S. Expecting Clash With Netanyahu

The Obama administration is preparing for a possible confrontation with new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his reluctance to support the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

U.S. officials have briefed senior Democratic congressmen in recent weeks about the possibility of deep differences between the U.S. and Israel over the peace process.

The briefings are intended to “foil the possibility” that Netanyahu may attempt to bypass the White House by rallying support in Congress, the Israeli paper Haaretz reported.

Administration officials have made it clear to congressmen that while President Obama is committed to the security of Israel, he considers the two-state solution central to his Middle East policy.

In his speech before the Turkish parliament last week, Obama declared, “Let me be clear: The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.”

After the speech, a senior Israeli official in Jerusalem said, “You’d have to be blind not to be able to see the writing on the wall,” ynetnews.com reported.

Obama intends to ask Netanyahu to fulfill the commitments made by previous Israeli governments, including the acceptance of a Palestinian state, the freezing of settlement activity, evacuating illegal settlements and providing economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

However, new Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman insists Israel is not bound by previous agreements. He said on Wednesday: "Those who think that through concessions they will gain respect and peace are wrong. It's the other way around — it will lead to more wars."

American officials say they will listen to Netanyahu’s position when he meets with Obama in Washington next month, according to Haaretz.

But the U.S. and Israel could also be headed for a clash over Iran and its nuclear program. Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued a warning to the Israeli government, saying it would be "ill-advised" to carry out a military strike against Iranian nuclear sites