Message from Rabbi Sternfield

Israel's announcement on March 9 that it would construct 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, precisely during the visit of Vice President Biden has done serious harm to the relations between the two countries.

This move was either one of the dumbest stunts in the history of foreign affairs or was specifically designed to derail the long-delayed indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The reactions of the Vice President and Secretary of State Clinton make it clear that U.S. ? Israel relations are at the lowest point in many years. It is not often that we hear such harsh public condemnation coming from our political leaders, particularly in regard to Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized, claiming that he did not know that the announcement was going to be made; an unacceptable disavowal given that he heads the government. He also has said that he would establish a committee to probe Israel's announcement. At the same time, he has made it clear that his government has no intention of halting its construction plans.

Predictably, AIPAC and the ADL have rushed to Israel's defense, even suggesting that it is up the U.S. to repair the damage. They would do better to take this event to heart and face the facts. Vice President Biden and Secretary Clinton have a long history of solid support for Israel. Regardless of what some may presume, this is an administration that is friendly to Israel.

Netanyahu has stated he was "surprised" by the U.S. administration's public condemnation of his government over the building plan in East Jerusalem. I can only take this to mean that he was surprised that the United States would actually stand up to Israel in such a blunt manner. Whether the U.S. administrations' response was orchestrated or not, there can be no doubt that was a clear illustration that Israel cannot depend on unlimited U.S. support for its policies.

What Israel must recognize is that the long festering conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has become intolerable for the U.S. It is not merely a question of the U.S. losing patience. With our nation's ongoing conflicts with radical Islam, the war in Afghanistan, and the frightening possibility for conflict with Pakistan, the U.S. badly needs to bring about a certain détente with the Islamic world. This cannot occur as long as the U.S. is regarded as providing Israel its unequivocal support. Israel needs to accept that the absence of progress in resolving the conflict with the Palestinians is inimical to U.S. interests.

In addition, if indeed Israel determines that, God forbid, it must deal with the threat of a nuclear Iran by military action, it cannot do so by itself. Israel will need every possible form of assistance from the U.S. This is no time for Israel to offend its single most reliable and powerful ally, certainly not over the matter of questionable housing units, to be constructed primarily to satisfy the wishes of the ultra-Orthodox, who so obviously regard Jerusalem as exclusively their own.

It takes a lot for me to be openly critical of Israel. But it pains me greatly to see its current government behaving so recklessly and, I am sorry to say, with such arrogance. I can only hope that this crisis will soon pass with Israel taking whatever actions are necessary. Even more than this, let us hope that this ill-conceived blunder will serve as a reality check for Israel's current political leadership.