Oren says Israel wants peace deal

WASHINGTON, April 4 (UPI) -- Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren said Sunday Israel's desire to negotiate peace with the Palestinians hasn't weakened.

In an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" news program, Oren discounted those who contend Israel has become too satisfied with the years-long stalemate that has left the peace talks in dry dock.

"If Israelis are reticent about the peace process today, it's not because ... things are too good in Israel. It's because they're skeptical," Oren said. "Every poll in Israel shows that an overwhelming majority of Israelis favor the peace process, favor the two-state solution. The government of Israel is deeply committed to moving forward on the peace process, moving swiftly, addressing all of those core issues, including Jerusalem, at the negotiating table.

"We have to get the Palestinians to the negotiating table."

Oren said Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has not embarked on a new policy regarding construction in the disputed regions, a particular sore spot with the U.S. government in recent days.

"This is the policy of Golda Meir. It's the policy of Yitzhak Rabin, that is, that Jerusalem is the capital of the state of Israel," he said. "And our policy is that every Arab, every Jew has a right to build anywhere in the city legally as they -- an Arab and Jew would have a right to build legally anywhere in a city in the United States, including in this city, in Washington, D.C. The policy is not going to change."

Still, Oren said, the Israeli government understands Jerusalem "is sensitive."

Asked to describe U.S.-Israeli relations in one word, Oren replied: "Great."