Israel and the United States are on the same page on Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters in Jerusalem.
She reiterated during a July 16 news conference that the U.S. “commitment to Israel is rock solid. By strengthening Israel’s security, we are strengthening U.S. security.”
In meetings with Israeli leaders the same day, Clinton called on them to take steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, Ha’aretz reported.
“We remain focused on re-launching peace talks,” Clinton told reporters, adding that the international community can help but it is up to the parties to do the work.
Clinton also said that during her meetings with Egyptian authorities in Cairo, she had made clear that the United States wants the new leadership in Egypt to uphold its peace treaty with Israel.
Responding to a different question, Clinton rejected the notion of clemency for Jonathan Pollard.
“With respect to Mr. Pollard, he was convicted of spying in 1987, he was sentenced to life in prison, he is serving that sentence, and I do not have any expectations that that is going to change,” Clinton said about Pollard, a civilian U.S. Navy intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel.
Clinton arrived in Israel on July 16 and returned to the United States July 17, capping a 12-day, nine-country trip. It is her first visit to Israel in two years. — jta