US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has promised to work with the incoming Israeli government, but delivered a clear message that could put her at odds with the country's next leader.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) meets former Israeli prime minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.[Ronen Zvulun/CCTV/AFP/Pool]

She said movement toward the establishment of a Palestinian state is "inescapable".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu said the two had "a very constructive meeting".

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister-designate, said, "We spoke at length about the problems in our region, about Iran, about forging a path towards peace with the Palestinians, about the need to ensure that we have security, peace and prosperity in our region. And we agreed to cooperate closely to achieve these goals."