<p> <br /> Hillary Clinton said the United States and Israel have a "close, unshakable bond" and that Washington remained absolutely committed to Israeli security.<br /> </p><br /> <p> <br /> Playing down comments after several days of sharp exchanges over Israel's announcement of a new settlement construction, the US Secretary of State said: "We don't agree with any of our international partners on everything,".<br /> </p><br /> <p> <br /> A diplomatic row erupted after Israel announced approval for 1,600 new Jewish homes in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want to be the capital of a future state.<br /> </p><br /> <p> <br /> Clinton said that, while the US had expressed "dismay and disappointment" over the announcement, it was now time to move forward with a visit by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, although she declined to say when exactly that might take place.<br /> </p><br /> <p> <br /> Mitchell had been due to leave for the region on Monday to continue indirect negotiations with Israel and the Palestinians, but US officials said that trip was temporarily on hold as the schedule is worked out.<br /> </p><br /> <p> <br /> Washington hopes the talks will be a first step towards resuming direct negotiations which have been on hold for more than year.<br /> </p>
