U.S. envoy downplays rift with Israel over settlement

JERUSALEM, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. special envoy to the Middle East on Sunday placated Israel over the two allies' disagreement on the settlement issue, and reiterated America's commitment to Israel's security.

While admitting their divergence on the subject, one of the core issues impeding the U.S.-backed Israeli-Palestinian peace process, George Mitchell assured Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak that the current differences are "discussions among friends", instead of "disputes among adversaries," reported local daily Ha'aretz.

The talks between the United States and the Jewish state are "intended to help what we share in common, a desire for comprehensive peace in the Middle East, which includes Israel and the Palestinians, Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon and normal relations with all countries in the region," Mitchell was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the envoy reaffirmed the U.S. government's commitment to Israel's security, saying that "the American commitment to Israel's security is unshakable and will not change."

For his part, Barak reportedly expressed gratitude for America's efforts for the Mideast peace, and pledged that Israel is "ready to take whatever effort to make it happen" while maintaining its critical interests.

Earlier in day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also played down the current rift with the United States, saying at a cabinet meeting that the Israeli-U.S. relationship is "steadfast" and that the two sides are trying to reach understandings on various issues.

Over the past few months, the U.S. government has been leading the international community in urging Israel to totally freeze construction in West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem. Yet the Netanyahu administration has so far refused to yield to that demand, giving rise to worries about the close relations between the two nations.

Mitchell, who came to Israel immediately after his visit to Syria, is scheduled to hold talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday and with Netanyahu on Tuesday.

The emissary is the first of a group of high-ranking U.S. officials expected to visit Israel this week, including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and National Security Adviser James Jones.