March 16, 2009 – New York – AJC expressed appreciation for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s reaffirmation today of the “close, unshakable bond between the United States and Israel and between the American and Israeli people.”

“Coming at a time when the historic alliance between the United States and Israel has been characterized as being in crisis, Secretary Clinton’s comments provide much-needed clarity,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “Her remarks are particularly welcome given the overheated commentary asserting that the special relationship between America and Israel is in danger.”

Speculation about the future of U.S.-Israel relations has reached fever pitch following the condemnation by Vice President Joseph Biden, during his visit to Israel last week, of an announcement to build 1,600 housing units in eastern Jerusalem. Biden accepted an apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the timing of the announcement, but criticism from other U.S. leaders followed. The Israeli government has announced that a special committee will examine how the ill-advised announcement came to be made.