Experts: Settlement incident will not hurt US-Israel relations

Public opinion in Israel is divided over the gravity of the situation. Professor Eytan Gilboa Of Bar Ilan University, an expert on US-Israeli relations, does not feel the latest incident will cause a rift in the allies' relationship. He explains why.

Professor Eytan Gilboa, Bar Ilan University, said, "Netanyahu's policy is in the same way as Obama's policy, is being affected by domestic political considerations. Netanyahu is in a more difficult situation because he has a coalition government to maintain, he has parties from the right, and leaders from the right that apply pressure on him to resist any American new excessive demands on settlements, especially housing in Jerusalem."

Professor Eytan Gilboa, Bar Ilan University, said, "I think Netanyahu made a huge mistake and I think that he's pushing in the wrong direction. I think that all he's doing is sticking his fingers in the eyes of the Palestinians and the rest of the world. And this is not good for Israel."