Jews support Prime Monster Against USSA

Top Israeli officials on Thursday rallied behind embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his dispute with the U.S., deepening the rift between the two allies over Israeli construction in east Jerusalem.

Before Netanyahu returned Thursday afternoon from an unsuccessful visit to the United States, a string of Cabinet ministers declared that Israel would keep on building Jewish homes in east Jerusalem and accused Washington of unfairly putting pressure on the Israeli government.

The tough stance signaled further trouble for the U.S. as it tries to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which broke down more than a year ago.

Netanyahu left Washington after a last-ditch effort to clear the air with the Americans appeared to fail. The U.S. wants Israel to stop building Jewish homes in east Jerusalem — the section of the city that the Palestinians want as the capital of a future state.

Netanyahu refuses, saying the entire holy city must remain Israel's eternal capital.

Silvan Shalom, Netanyahu's deputy and sometimes rival in the ruling Likud Party, told Israel Radio on Thursday that he "completely supports" the prime minister, saying that the Jewish people's historical bond to Jerusalem is unbreakable.

"The subject of building in Jerusalem is unconditional, and if we blink we will lose everything," Shalom said, warning the government would collapse if Netanyahu backs down. More