Netanyahu, White House Aides, Try to Play Down Tension

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday that the differences at the core of massive media insinuation that the relationship with the United States is rapidly deteriorating “are just differences between friends.” But the undeniable tension that many are calling the worst tiff between the two allies in many years is taking a toll not only on the traditional relationship between the two nations, but on Netanyahu’s domestic standing. His political opponents are finding resonance in their charge that the prime minister is damaging the treasured U.S.-Israel relationship – perhaps the most serious allegation that can be made against an Israeli leader. The Labor party – the cabinet partner farthest to the political left – will begin a discussion about leaving the government after the Passover holiday. In the U.S., Obama aide David Axelrod tried to tone down the spat by telling CNN that blunt talk between allies is part of friendship. His statements appear to be aimed at a domestic audience as well as the friction at home grows. Members of Congress are openly criticizing the president for being too hard on Israel while ignoring the Palestinians’ role in preventing negotiations from moving forward. A new poll commissioned by the Jerusalem Post finds that only 9% of Israelis view President Obama as “pro-Israel”.