The United States will not reduce its loan guarantees to Israel at this stage, even if Jerusalem continues constructing its security buffer. That is according to reports from Washington following a meeting on Monday between National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and two top Israeli civil servants.
Despite the agreement not to cut the support, the U.S. is still unhappy with Israel’s decision to plow ahead with work on the buffer.
The mix of walls, fences, troughs and watchtowers is aimed at separating major Israeli population centers from Palestinian conurbations.
The Israeli defense establishment maintains the buffer will prevent suicide bombers and other terrorists from reaching the heavily populated coastal plain.
The Palestinians say Israel wants the buffer to eventually become a permanent border between Israel and any Palestinian state.
The Americans maintain the buffer is contrary to their vision for the Middle East.