Washington: Construction in OJ would not affect relations with Israel

WASHINGTON, — The Hebrew radio reported on Saturday that a senior official at the US national security council highlighted, during a phone call with a number of American Jewish leaders, the strength of relations between Washington and Tel Aviv.

The US official reassured the Jewish leaders that the difference over Israel’s settlement activities in Jerusalem would not affect these relations.

He also told them that his country’s relations with Israel were not in crisis and the American administration did not intend to insult their premier Benjamin Netanyahu during his recent visit to Washington.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the US state department justified in a press statement Israel’s recent air raids on Gaza, saying Israel has the right to defend itself against what he claimed the Palestinian attacks.