US signals better relations with Israel

US signals better relations with Israel

focus 06/22/2010 WASHINGTON — The United States signaled Sunday strained relations with Israel were on the mend, announcing White House talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early next month and backing him to the hilt over his plans to ease a four-year blockade of the Gaza Strip. The July 6 meeting between Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama, announced by the White House, will also provide the leaders with an opportunity to inject some fresh momentum into the moribund Middle East peace process. Damaged by a row over Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, the state of the all-important US-Israel relationship was placed under the microscope by the deadly raid on May 31 on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Israel on Thursday bowed to international pressure and agreed to loosen restrictions on what goods are allowed in and out of the Palestinian enclave, fleshing out those proposals on Sunday. The United States was fulsome in its praise for the plans, saying they “should improve life for the people of Gaza” and pledging US assistance to make sure they are implemented as quickly as possible. “We urge all those wishing to deliver goods to do so through established channels so that their cargo can be inspected and transferred via land crossings into Gaza,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100622com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Poor excuse FRONTLINE Useless peace talks FEATURE Israelis flock ‘back’ to Germany MR. EXPOSE P-Noy losing allies NO HOLDS BARRED Delicadeza AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Electoral statistics and the beautiful game focus US signals better relations with Israel