“I am well acquainted with the United States. Realities have changed and we have a great deal in common. President Obama is also in the midst of formulating policies and it is important for him to hear my thoughts as well,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is quoted as saying in a closed forum by the daily Yisrael HaYom.

The prime minister is not making too many public statements regarding his diplomatic policies as he prepares for his May 18th meeting with the president in the White House. The report quotes him as adding in closed forums that “regarding the Palestinians, not everything has to be settled with them, but there are matters which will be closed with the Americans, not the Palestinians”.

The prime minister is expected to announce that while Israel has no aspirations to rule over the PA (Palestinian Authority), Israel will not tolerate the PA imposing her rule over Israeli sovereignty.

While the prime minister supports the PA running the lives of its residents in autonomous areas, in over 50% of the areas, areas which are uninhabited, the prime minister is not expected to support turning over sovereignty to the PA. These areas are viewed by the current administration as security areas vital to Israel’s interests.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already stated if Israel wishes Arab support against Iran, Jerusalem will have to become proactive regarding the diplomatic process involving the PA and its yearning for peace. Clinton stressed the two go hand in hand and “Israel cannot remain on the sidelines”.

Clinton has rejected the accuracy of reported tensions between Washington and Jerusalem, stating the policies of the new administration cannot be judged prior to being presented in the upcoming first meeting between the two leaders.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)