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Last update - 21:45 24/04/2009
Clinton: Israel at risk of losing support against Iran threat
By Reuters
Tags: Israel news, Clinton, Iran 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cautioned Israel's right-wing government on Thursday that it risked losing Arab support for fighting any threats from Iran if it shuns Palestinian peace talks.

Signaling U.S. impatience with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reticence over peace talks, Clinton said Arab nations had made clear to her that Israel must be committed to the Palestinian peace process if it wants help countering Iran.

"For Israel to get the kind of strong support it is looking for vis-a-vis Iran, it can't stay on the sidelines with respect to the Palestinians and the peace efforts. They go hand in hand," she told the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.
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Israel sees a nuclear-armed threat as a mortal threat.

"They [Arab countries] believe that Israel's willingness to re-enter into discussions with the Palestinian Authority strengthens them in being able to deal with Iran," she added.

Since coming into power last month, Netanyahu and his right-leaning coalition have avoided recognizing the Palestinians' right to an independent state as his predecessor Ehud Olmert did.

The United States is committed to pushing for a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side, and would like to revive stalled talks.

Netanyahu is set to visit Washington early next month. Clinton said she was not going to prejudge the Israeli position until there had been face-to-face talks with him.

"The prime minister will be coming to Washington in May, and we think that it is important not to prejudge what their view is and how that can best be approached," she said.

Lawmakers put pressure on Clinton over a funding request for the Palestinians, saying there must be strong assurances that none of the money would go to the militant group Hamas if it were included in a future unity government under discussion.

Clinton said the State Department would carefully track assistance and additional steps being taken to ensure that no U.S. taxpayer money goes to Hamas.

"No aid will flow to Hamas or any entity controlled by Hamas," she added.

But New York Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey, who has previously put holds on money earmarked for the Palestinians, questioned what she said was some "flexibility" in the Obama administration's approach.

Clinton reiterated that the Obama administration expected any new government that included Hamas to meet three international conditions - to recognize Israel, renounce violence and sign on to previous Palestinian peace accords.

But Clinton hinted that some flexibility might be needed, pointing to U.S. funding for Lebanon, whose government includes the militant group Hezbollah.

"We are doing that because we think, on balance, it is in the interest of the United States," she said.

Clinton also took the opportunity to criticize her predecessors, calling the policy of the Bush administration on Iran a "failure."

She said that the Bush administration's failed eight-year effort to isolate Iran has only increased worries about Iranian influence. She described the Bush approach as one of attempting total isolation of the Iranian government.

"The Bush policy did not deter Iran one bit in its ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons and to support terror organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas," she told the committee, adding that the Islamic republic's nuclear program has continued unabated.

The Obama administration is trying a different approach by offering to engage in dialogue with the Iranians.

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      1.   Israel risks losing support 22:12  |  WHG 23/04/09
      2.   Iran is more a threat to Arab countries than Israel 22:13  |  Sidney 23/04/09
      3.   Starting to wonder here... 22:17  |  Colin Wright 23/04/09
      4.   Oh, get lost, Clinton 22:20  |  Jones 23/04/09
      5.   Clinton shoulkd know better 22:25  |  Philippe 23/04/09
      6.   It is funny to see jews triying to convince us 22:27  |  Ahmad 23/04/09
      7.   Arab terms for peace is for Isarel to destroy itself, first. 22:28  |  pandora 23/04/09
      8.   to #3 - they sleep alot better 22:31  |  ross 23/04/09
      9.   Don`t Even Pay any mind to the man behind the curtain 22:32  |  Baruch Gold 23/04/09
      10.   Ahmad 22:47  |  Yosemite 23/04/09
      11.   Clinton Has no basis to Critize Bush on Iran 22:47  |  Dave 23/04/09
      12.   #3, Colin...you make absolutely no sense 22:47  |  DR 23/04/09
      13.   # 6 Ahmed...not so 22:47  |  Lynn 23/04/09
      14.   Obama should remember 22:51  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/04/09
      15.   Clinton` support 22:52  |  Roberto 23/04/09
      16.   Israel needs to remember 01:19  |  Justin Thurst 24/04/09
      17.   Israel needs to remember 01:20  |  Justin Thurst 24/04/09
      18.   What`s Wrong With Baseball? 01:22  |  Yosemite 24/04/09
      19.   More likely scenario - US risks losing Israel`s trust on Iran. 01:34  |  common sense 24/04/09
      20.   filled racist U.S Dep`t of Dhimmistates interest say 01:48  |  Joseph.E 24/04/09
      21.   Scare Tactic of Obama!He will use scare tactics and he will 01:49  |  glenna 24/04/09
      22.   Clinton`s three conditions 01:53  |  American Patriot 24/04/09
      23.   MRS CLINTON: GAZA IS TALEBAN. WAKE UP 02:08  |  James a Gentile 24/04/09
      24.   And Yet, No one said a word when Saddam was kicking Iran ass 02:12  |  Joseph.E 24/04/09
      25.   Obama: This Duck is No Firend of Israel 02:28  |  Brent 24/04/09
      26.   Cipoar # 14 Israel an ally? do tell 02:34  |  American in NY 24/04/09
      27.   good news 02:34  |  mariel 24/04/09
      28.   Clinty, old girl, does Israel recognize Palestine? 02:37  |  Reader 24/04/09
      29.   The question is 03:06  |  *BEN JABO 24/04/09
      30.   It`s another validation of what you`ve already been told... 03:32  |  BBSNews 24/04/09
      31.   Old cliches don`t apply anymore ! 03:38  |  Akram Zekaria 24/04/09
      32.   The US 3rd wrong war will be with Israel ! 04:02  |  Akram Zekaria 24/04/09
      33.   "They Go Hand In Hand" Do They Clinton? 04:09  |  Jeff Northridge 24/04/09
      34.   To Justin Thurst From Dick Hertz 04:12  |  Dick Hertz 24/04/09
      35.   JEWS DID NOT VOTE FOR HILLARY BUT VOTED FOR OBAMA! 04:20  |  aviva 24/04/09
      36.   Clinton`s reasoning & Middle-East priorities are wrong 04:24  |  Joe 24/04/09
      37.   I wasnt aware we ever had arab support on Iran 04:33  |  zionist forever 24/04/09
      38.   Clinton just admitted it - where`s the mighty AIPAC? 04:34  |  Free Gilad Shalit 24/04/09
      39.   American in NY 04:50  |  Justin Thurst 24/04/09
      40.   HILLARY IS A PURE ZIONIST 05:00  |  indrajaya 24/04/09
      41.   Deluded 05:07  |  UsedToPostHere 24/04/09
      42.   What is this so called support? 06:07  |  unathletic supporter 24/04/09
      43.   Hand in Hand, huh? 06:22  |  Safra Turner-Granot 24/04/09
      44.   Either divorce or live with infidelity 06:22  |  Councilor 24/04/09
      45.   Lose support, Hillary? 06:51  |  Jasper 24/04/09
      46.   #33, Jeff Northridge 07:08  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/04/09
      47.   What else is new. 07:19  |  David Kline 24/04/09
      48.   Peace Only Through Strength 07:24  |  Thomas Gallagher 24/04/09
      49.   This would work if only... 07:30  |  Tzfonit 24/04/09
      50.   HILLARY WOULD BE GREAT 07:30  |  Hill4israel 24/04/09
      51.   Arab countries care about Iran threat - not about the ... 07:31  |  Jean Van Daem 24/04/09
      52.   Councilor and US`s interests 07:53  |  Tzfonit 24/04/09
      53.   Clinton -talking nonsense 08:04  |  Joshua 24/04/09
      54.   How many times do you guys need to be told? 08:31  |  Johnboy 24/04/09
      55.   talks 08:34  |  yona schear 24/04/09
      56.   Obama`s true colors... 08:35  |  Hostile Knowledge 24/04/09
      57.   Israeli recognition 08:43  |  Matthew Houston 24/04/09
      58.   Clinton precipitate and tactless, but right on... 09:12  |  Esther 24/04/09
      59.   Clinton correct, but incomplete: Saudi Plan only answer to Iran! 09:21  |  Ivar 24/04/09
      60.   # 57 Matthew Houston 09:37  |  17 24/04/09
      61.   Bull 09:49  |  Zev 24/04/09
      62.   #29 *BEN JABO could it be 12:19  |  jaberwocky 24/04/09
      63.   Clinton is wrong, Arab states reconize Irans threat 17:42  |  Shepherd 24/04/09
      64.   What`s to understand Iran said in english loud and clear 17:50  |  lily 24/04/09
      65.   Johnboy has got it right 19:23  |  Councilor 24/04/09
      66.   Clinton 19:50  |  ks 24/04/09
      67.   #28, Canadian ignorance! 20:46  |  DR` 24/04/09
      68.   Murmurings in the servants` hall 20:46  |  Colin Wright 24/04/09
      69.   Johnboy - Iran proves you wrong 21:21  |  Jewish Tao 24/04/09
      70.   Reader 21:29  |  Connie 24/04/09
      71.   Now Akram.@32 Isn`t what Lieberman said?? 22:34  |  Whiskey 24/04/09
      72.   Ya`ll wanna know who`ll win?.............. 22:36  |  Wyatt Earp 24/04/09
      73.   Thank you Wyatt, Sir... 22:38  |  `Doc` Holiday 24/04/09
      74.   To Shepherd@63 Did you not read About Kuwait wanting the Arab .. 22:53  |  Whiskey 24/04/09
      75.   Joe # 36 Clinton`s priorities 23:09  |  Joan 24/04/09
      76.   Joe # 36 Clinton`s priorities 23:09  |  Joan 24/04/09
      77.   Curse all you like, but the bottom line is... 23:54  |  Esther 24/04/09
      78.   Wake up Clinton and Obama 23:55  |  Salty 24/04/09
      79.   What Hillary must realize 00:01  |  MichaelF 25/04/09
      80.   #40 - silly indrajaya 00:03  |  MichaelF 25/04/09
      81.   #56 - Hostile Knowledge 00:05  |  MichaelF 25/04/09
      82.   To Salty and MichaelF..Right you are.. the both of you..My 00:41  |  Jasmine 25/04/09
      83.   Israel risks loozing support 01:00  |  Ellen Zittinger 25/04/09
      84.   Friends do let friends drive drunk 03:27  |  Joe 25/04/09
      85.   65~ Whiskey You are right "The Sunnis are worried". 04:20  |  Akram Zekaria 25/04/09
      86.   Ahmadinejad was Misquoted 04:33  |  MNAIVE 25/04/09
      87.   Re: Oh, get lost Clinton 05:46  |  Seth 25/04/09
      88.   THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL 08:44  |  Ed 25/04/09
      89.   Iran does not love the palestinians 10:29  |  Lola 25/04/09
      90.   In God We Trust ! 12:56  |  Akram Zekaria 25/04/09
      91.   Why did Jews vote for Clinton and Obama? 13:37  |  Gully Foyle 25/04/09
      92.   Akram Zekaria #31 Old cliches don`t apply anymore ! So True 15:54  |  American in NY 25/04/09
      93.   #62 2ND TRY JABERWOCKY 16:23  |  *BEN JABO 25/04/09
      94.   #86 MNAIVE 16:28  |  *BEN JABO 25/04/09
      95.   #91 Gully Foyle - American Jews, unlike Arabs 16:43  |  *BEN JABO 25/04/09
      96.   To Councilor @65 I think you`ve got it..Israel does not push..... 22:24  |  Whiskey 25/04/09
      97.   To Whyatt Earp...Good on ya buddy..Do not forget me Oh My darling 22:30  |  Whiskey 25/04/09
      98.   Japan is at risk of a nuclear threat from North Korea 01:22  |  Joseph.E 26/04/09
      99.   Yes, Virginia, there is a Palestine - and it isn`t Jordan 02:57  |  Gully Foyle 26/04/09
      100.   Whiskey 03:41  |  Persian Kiity 26/04/09
      101.   92~ American in NY: Your post exposed your ignorance ! 03:51  |  Akram Zekaria 26/04/09
      102.   99~ Gully Foyle : Assuming you are right ! 04:13  |  Akram Zekaria 26/04/09
      103.   Obama should remember 06:41  |  Lugar 26/04/09
      104.   To #95 - Ben Jabo 04:17  |  Gully Foyle 27/04/09
      105.   #104 Gully Foole 18:56  |  *BEN JABO 27/04/09
      106.   Gully Foole - Back to basics 19:03  |  *BEN JABO 27/04/09
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