US adviser avoids meeting Israeli ambassador to America

The US’ National Security Advisor Susan Rice has avoided meeting the Israeli ambassador in Washington Ron Dermer since he took office nearly half a year ago, Israeli radio reported.

Informed sources said Rice’s critical stance of Israel caused a rift between the two. The Israeli embassy in Washington confirmed the news but pointed out that Dermer had never asked to meet with Rice and that the two used to meet in the past regularly every few weeks.

Dermer spoke last week before a large political rally held by Republicans in one of the casinos owned by pro-Republican Jewish-American millionaire Sheldon Adelson.

The Israeli embassy in Washington said the Israeli ambassador attends similar rallies and that Dermer expressed his willingness to participate in similar rallies organised by the Democratic Party.