The United States advocates dialogue with Iran, whereas Israel, though officially supports this approach, has never ruled out military options.

In its latest "Strategic Survey of Israel 2009," INSS noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to leave some room for US-Iran dialogues, but a timetable and a criterion for the success of such dialogues should be worked out.

The Israeli government has also launched a vigorous PR campaign over the Iranian nuclear issue, sending Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on tours to the United States one after another.

Vice President Joe Biden said earlier this month that Washington will not influence Israel in its decision for a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, adding that "Israel can determine for itself... what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else."

However, the United States has also sent some signals which might be unnerving to Israel.

Observers say that the Obama administration tried to urge Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), to gain more moral strength in asking Tehran to give up its disputed nuclear plans during multilateral talks on Iran's nuclear issues.

Washington has adopted a "vague" stance on Israel's nuclear ambition, excluding Israel from international nuclear inspection as long as the Jewish state keeps its nuclear plan a secret. This policy was widely blamed for making Israel the only nuclear country in the Middle East, and prompting Iran to carry out its own nuclear plan. .

Whether Israel to make concessions

As US-Israel ties seem at a low ebb, it is worth noting whether Israeli leaders would yield to the Obama administration's "new thinking".

The Obama administration has all along pressed Netanyahu's rightist government to accept a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace, and to halt all Israeli settlement activity on Palestinian territory in the West Bank.

Under Washington's pressure, Israel may have to make some concessions to Palestinians to maintain close ties with the United States. The question is how much Israel is ready to give. .

In his first mention of the two-state solution last month, Netanyahu set many conditions for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

On the issue of Israeli settlement on Palestinian land, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon confirmed Israel was willing to make many concessions.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government reporteldy planned to demolish over 20 illegal settlements in the West Bank. But Israel categorically refused to stop its activity in East Jerusalem, demanding the settlement issue should be separated from the East Jerusalem issue.

Israel may seek substantial rewards from the United States for its concessions. Earlier, Israeli media reported Israel and the United States may reach an agreement on the settlement issue in exchange for the US. support for Israel on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Israeli experts say the Netanyahu government may have to make concessions to satisfy Washington and maintain its ties with the United States.

INSS said if Israel fails to adopt practical measures to push forward Palestine-Israel talks and coordinate stance with the United States on Iranian nuclear issue, Netanyahu government cannot hardly iron out greater differences between Israel and the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2009)