With President Obama set to deliver a high-profile speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt, tensions are flaring in neighboring Israel over the U.S. president's latest demands on the Jewish state.
Top Israeli officials continue to rebuff Obama's call for the country to freeze all settlement construction in the West Bank. Obama's demand, which he reiterated strongly in an interview with National Public Radio ahead of his trip, is seen as a far tougher stance than that taken by his predecessor in the White House.
Whereas prior administrations generally opposed settlement construction, they allowed for "natural growth" of existing settlements.
But speaking to NPR, Obama said he has told the Israelis "both privately and publicly" that their obligation includes a freeze on settlements, "including natural growth."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have rejected that demand. And Israeli media have fixed on the spat as the U.S. president tours Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and later France and Germany, while skipping Israel.
The Israeli newspapers on Wednesday were packed with stories on what they called a "settlement row," a "public spat" and the United States' "hard-line" stance.
"Israeli-American relations are entering their most serious tailspin in a decade," newspaper Ha'aretz said in its analysis of what it called Obama's "tough love" on Wednesday. - FOX News Story
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