Israeli Defense Minister Worried About Rift with U.S.

JERUSALEM, April 19, 2010 — -- Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak chose a radio interview on his country's memorial day Monday to express his growing concern at the state of relations between Israel and the U.S.

"The alienation that is developing with the United States is not good for Israel," he said.

Barak is leader of the centre-left Labor Party and a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government which is dominated by right-wing parties.

In recent months relations with the Obama administration have reached crisis point over Israel's refusal to stop building settlements in occupied territory in East Jerusalem.

"We have strong ties with the United States, a bond, long term friendship and strategic partnership. We receive $3 billion from them each year, we get the best planes in the world from them," Barak said.

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are frozen over the issue of Jewish settlements. Indirect talks had been due to start last month but were derailed following Israel's announcement of 1,600 new homes for Jews in an East Jerusalem settlement.

The surprise announcement was made while U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Jerusalem and led to the present cooling of diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America today, Netanyahu attempted to downplay the problem.

"I think with any family, with any relationship, the relationship of allies, even your relatives, you have ups and downs. You have disagreements. But I think this relationship between the United States of America and the people of Israel is rock solid," he said.

At an event to commemorate memorial day Netanyahu said Israel was fully committed to peace but from a position of military strength.

"One of our hands is stretched out in peace to all our neighbours who desire peace. The other hand grasps the sword of David to defend our people against those who wish dead," he said.

Ehud Barak meanwhile hinted in his radio interview Israel must be prepared to show greater willingness to push for a peace agreement with the Palestinians and that would help rebuild relations with the U.S.