Clinton to Address Pro-Israel Lobby

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is assuring Israel that the United States' commitment to the security and future of the country is "rock solid."

Clinton will speak at the annual convention in Washington of a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, Monday.  Excerpts from her address were released in advance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also address the thousands of delegates at the AIPAC convention.

Mr. Netanyahu is also to meet with Clinton Monday, hoping to reduce tensions triggered by Israel's decision to build 1,600 new housing units for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem.  

Israel announced the plan during a visit to Israel by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month, a move the Obama administration called an "insult."

Biden will host Mr. Netanyahu for dinner Monday evening at the Naval Observatory, the vice president's official residence.  The Israeli leader will then meet with President Barack Obama Tuesday.

On Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu said building in East Jerusalem is the same as building in Tel Aviv.

He said Israel's policy on Jerusalem is the same one followed by all Israeli governments for the past 42 years.

On Monday, Prime Minister Netanyahu also plans to address thousands of delegates at the annual convention of a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.

Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, An influential U.S.-based Middle East analyst, told the convention Sunday the ongoing U.S.-Israel dispute will have consequences.  He said the crisis between the allies is "serious" and "real," even if both sides are trying to defuse it.