We cannot allow US-Israel relations to be harmed

President Reuven Rivlin warned against damaging US-Israel relations on Sunday, against the background of a controversy surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress and ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Speaking at a meeting with the heads of the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic missions in North America, Rivlin said that "we must remember, that our friendships are between peoples.

"Our friendships are above political parties and opinions, they are friendships borne out of trust and shared values, and it should be remembered that even such close friends can have a difference of opinion, and even agree to disagree on the issue of Iran, or on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy through which we have been living for so many years.

"The friendship comes from a complete belief in cooperation and having values shared by Israel and its friends. With it comes the clear knowledge that the countries you serve are a major buttress for Israel's international relations."

Meanwhile, Zionist Camp Chairman Isaac Herzog gave a speech to 1,000 students at a convention for the Citizens' Empowerment Center and the Education Ministry, expressing concern about the apparent diplomatic crisis. "Netanyahu has entered a direct confrontation with the American president," he said.

"Will the next government be in a violent and unending conflict with the American government, or will it be a government under my leadership that will know how to put this alliance back on track?"

Ynet