U.S., Israel Spar Over Iran, Peace With Palestinians

WSJ

WASHINGTON--The U.S. and Israel clashed over negotiations with Iran and claims to Jerusalem as President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the first time since peace talks with Palestinians broke down in April.

The conflicting views over core policies pointed to continuing U.S.-Israeli friction as Washington and its allies try to reach an accord with Iran by late November. The aim is a deal that curtails Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for easing international sanctions. Mr. Netanyahu is calling for dismantling Iran's program, a step the White House has ruled out.

The Obama administration, meanwhile, stressed in stern terms that any new Israeli construction in predominantly Arab East Jerusalem would further imperil peace efforts and cost Israel support of its allies.

"The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the Israeli government has moved forward with the planning process in a sensitive area of East Jerusalem," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

"This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere, not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations," he said.

Mr. Netanyahu rejected the criticism in comments made in New York to reporters traveling with him on his trip to the U.S.

The White House has questioned Mr. Netanyahu's commitment to the peace process.

On Wednesday, a Palestinian official said Palestinians plan to submit a draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a November 2016 deadline for full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and East Jerusalem--something the U.S. would likely veto. The resolution is part a new diplomatic initiative that seeks progress through a Security Council resolution rather than returning to talks with Israel.

In the last round of peace talks, U.S. officials said the parties discussed an arrangement that would allow Israel to maintain a security presence in the West Bank for several years after the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The two leaders concurred on the growing threat posed by the extremist group Islamic State. But that agreement was overshadowed by other issues.

"Even more critical is our shared goal of preventing Iran from becoming a military nuclear power," Mr. Netanyahu said.

The meeting took place under the still-fresh tensions of U.S. criticism this summer over civilian casualties resulting from Israeli military strikes in Gaza.

U.S. efforts to broker peace between Israelis and Palestinians this year faltered, and Mr. Obama renewed his challenge to Israel during remarks to the U.N. General Assembly last week.

"The violence engulfing the region today has made too many Israelis ready to abandon the hard work of peace. And that's something worthy of reflection within Israel," he said at the U.N.

Sitting next to Mr. Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Mr. Obama called on Israel to reset the status quo with Palestinians.

"I think we also recognize that we have to find ways to change the status quo so that both Israeli citizens are safe in their own homes, school children in their schools, from the possibility of rocket fire, but also that we don't have the tragedy of Palestinian children being killed as well," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Earnest, when asked whether Mr. Obama agrees with Mr. Netanyahu that Iran is a more important issue than Islamic State violence, said that both are key national security priorities. The U.S. won't allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, Mr. Earnest added.

Mr. Netanyahu and Israeli officials have expressed concern in recent weeks that Western powers will make concessions to Iran in talks to gain its support in the battle against Islamic State.

Tehran insists that it is pursuing nuclear capabilities for peaceful aims.

Felicia Schwartz and Joshua Mitnick contributed to this article.

Write to Jeffrey Sparshott at [email protected] and Felicia Schwartz at [email protected]

By Jeffrey Sparshott and Jay Solomon