JERUSALEM (JTA) — The United States looks forward to working with Israel’s new government, Hillary Rodham Clinton said in Israel.
The U.S. secretary of state made her remarks following a meeting Tuesday morning with Israeli President Shimon Peres. After the meeting Clinton visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
In a joint statement following the meeting, Peres said, "I think there is nobody in this country, right or left, that wants to control the lives of the Palestinians. I think they also understand that they have the right to their own life and their own control."
Peres told Clinton in remarks before the meeting that "Any government that will be established in Israel will have to continue the peace process, and there is a majority in the Knesset in support of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians."
"It is important that the United States always underscore our unshakeable, durable, fundamental relationship and support for the State of Israel," Clinton said. "During today’s visit, I want to emphasize the continuing strength of the United States-Israeli relationship and our unrelenting commitment to Israel’s security."
Clinton was scheduled to meet Tuesday with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, including Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. She will meet Wednesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
