BICOM

Defence Minister Ehud Barak met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other senior US officials yesterday in Washington. A statement issued by the White House following the meetings said that the US would continue its ‘unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, including through our continued support for Israel’s military and the unprecedented security cooperation between our two governments.’ Barak’s visit to Washington is significant as it is part of an US-Israeli effort, amidst regional upheaval, to maintain top-level coordination. Defence Secretary Robert Gates, and National Security Adviser Tom Donilon also took part in the meeting between Barak and Clinton. This was the most senior meeting of Israeli and US officials since the outbreak of unrest in Egypt. According to statements, other than Egypt, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the Iranian nuclear issue were also discussed. During his visit, Barak also met with CIA director Leon Panetta, Republican House of Representatives majority leader Eric Cantor, and Steny Hoyer, Democrat minority leader.

The crisis in Egypt shows no signs of abating, meanwhile, clear differences are emerging between the positions of the US and Egyptian governments regarding the way forward. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit yesterday accused Washington of seeking to ‘impose its will’ on Egypt. US officials, meanwhile, have declared themselves frustrated with the pace of change as offered by the government of Egypt, in its dialogue with opposition groups. White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs described the Egyptian government’s efforts so far as ‘yet to meet a minimum threshold for the people of Egypt.’ Gheit also warned that the Egyptian army would intervene if current protests escalated. Washington renewed its calls following the Egyptian foreign minister’s statements for the army to show restraint.