US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised Tuesday to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with the country's next leader: Movement toward the establishment of a Palestinian state is “inescapable.” At the same time, Clinton said she would not dictate orders to Israel, saying the Jewish state would determine its interests. She also pledged “unrelenting” support for Israel's security. Prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and has been critical of peace talks. But after meeting Clinton in Jerusalem, he said the two had “found a common language.” Speaking at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni earlier in the day, Clinton said the US would soon send two envoys to Syria for “preliminary conversations.” US officials said the two emissaries would be Jeffrey Feltman, a former US ambassador to Lebanon and now acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and Dan Shapiro of the White House's National Security Council. “We have no way to predict what the future with our relations concerning Syria might be,” Clinton said. “There has to be some perceived benefit of doing so for the United States and our allies and our shared values. But I think it is a worthwhile effort to go and begin these preliminary conversations.” Clinton lamented that President Barack Obama's attempts to reach out to Syrian ally Iran have so far been unsuccessful. The US and Israel accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons and supporting anti-Israel militant groups. Clinton, seeking to calm her Israeli hosts, said the diplomatic approach should not be confused with softness. Senior Israeli officials including Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Clinton that Israel does not oppose Washington's overtures to Iran. However, they said they were skeptical about Iran's intentions and urged the US to set a deadline for Iran to respond positively. Israel fears Iran will use American engagement to buy time to develop nuclear weapons. Asked about Netanyahu, Clinton acknowledged the possibility of disagreements with any Israeli government and made clear the US would push forward with its efforts to forge a peace deal that includes the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. “The United States will be vigorously engaged in the pursuit of a two-state solution every step of the way,” she said. “The inevitability of working toward a two state-solution is inescapable.” Netanyahu characterized his talks with Clinton as “deep and important and good” and said the two agreed to meet again once a new Israeli government is formed.
