[Published: Wednesday March 17 2010]
Clinton affirms US Israel support
Washington, 17 March-(ANA)-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has dismissed the idea that US-Israeli relations are in crisis amid a row over Jewish settlers in Arab East Jerusalem.
She said the two nations had a "close, unshakeable bond" but made clear the US wanted both Israel and the Palestinians to prove their commitment to peace.
Earlier, US envoy George Mitchell postponed a planned visit to Israel.
Heightened tensions in Jerusalem have led to violent clashes between hundreds of Palestinians and Israeli police.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed what he called Mrs Clinton's "warm remarks", and said Israel had already proved its "commitment to peace in both word and deed".
On Wednesday Jerusalem was quiet after Tuesday's sporadic outbreaks of violence.
Israeli police said about 60 Palestinians had been arrested and medical officials said a number of people had been injured.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged restraint from both sides, the AFP news agency reports, and again stressed that Jerusalem's final status should be decided by negotiation. (ANA)
FA/ANA/17 March 2010-----
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