The United States has a special relationship with Israel and has "no better friend" in the world, Vice President Joe Biden told Israelis Thursday, DPA reported.
"Every day Israel faces threats no country should have to endure. America stands with you shoulder to shoulder facing these threats. The United States stands firmly next to Israel against the scourge of terrorism," he said, in an address at Tel Aviv University.
Biden's speech, touted in advance as one of the highlights of his visit, was instead overshadowed by an Israeli decision, announced Tuesday evening, to build 1600 new homes in a part of Jerusalem located in the occupied West Bank.
The vice president was caught by surprise by the Israeli announcement, and issued a stinging rebuke to his hosts.