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US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife at their arrival in Israel last week.
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WASHINGTON (EJP)---B’nai B’rith International deplored that a policy dispute over the homes construction in east Jerusalem “is being used by some to undermine the storied relationship between the United States and Israel.”
“Israel apologized twice to Vice President Joe Biden for overlapping with his visit its announcement that 1,600 new homes would be built in Jerusalem. At the conclusion of his trip, Biden reaffirmed the solid foundation of the relationship”, B’nai Brith said in statement.
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The United States on Monday took strong exception to Palestinian criticism of Israel's reopening of a landmark Jerusalem synagogue, saying the remarks would worsen tensions.
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The group said Biden noted the US-Israel relationship is “impervious to any shifts in either country or either country's partisan politics."
“It would be deeply troubling if a momentary disagreement is used in any way to derail peace efforts, challenge an important alliance, or divert attention from the major objective of the trip—stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” the Jewish human rights group said.
“Those who would characterize this as a major relational shift causing irreversible damage are exacerbating the problem.”
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US Middle East envoy George Mitchell on Tuesday delayed a visit to Israel, the Israeli president's office said. "The US embassy in Israel contacted the office of the president this morning to notify it that the United States special envoy for the Middle East, Mr. George Mitchell, will not arrive to Israel today," it said in a statement.
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“That in no way should detract from the bottom line: the United States and Israel are unshakable partners.”
“Allies don’t always agree,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.
“The incessant negative attention and harsh language surrounding this disagreement is a distraction from the real work that needs to be done to further Middle East peace and confront a nuclear Iran.”