Dr. Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and a former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations spoke with Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet on Monday, giving his insight into the diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Washington.

Dr. Gold began by explaining a bit about Ramat Shlomo, the cause of the crisis, precipitated by the ill-timed announcement of the government’s plans to add 1,600 housing units to the existing community. Dr. Gold explained that the incident was behind us, and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did everything possible to apologize and take corrective actions, but the White House and current US administration appears to prefer to keep the crisis going, at least for now. “The administration must decide if doing so will assist in achieving its strategic goals” he added.

Gold stressed it is not a new neighborhood, but a planned edition to an existing one. The former ambassador does not believe that perpetuating the crisis will serve American interests, indicating it would be wise to permit putting the matter to rest, but officials in Washington seem unwilling to do so, at least at present.

He cited the Washington Post’s position as a barometer that the White House does not necessarily enjoy support at home for its position regarding Israel.

When asked what Israel must learn from the incident, Gold stated Israel must understand that at times, one should not be correct but better to be wise.

Gold concluded by explaining the White House cannot ignore the current realities, the bigger picture, such a Iranian influence in Afghanistan and Iraq, which he feels is by far more important. Those regional issues must be addressed, the sooner the better.

“The US administration must understand there can be issues upon which Israel and the USA do not see eye-to-eye”, he concluded.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)