The United States' relationship with Israel will not be altered by a new coalition government formed unexpectedly Tuesday between the nationalist right-wing Likud party and centrist Kadima, the White House said, DPA reported.
"A new coalition government in Israel certainly will not affect our policy approach," said Jay Carney, spokesman for President Barack Obama.
"We continue to have very good relations with leaders in Israel, and we ... provide significant support for and coordination with Israel's military on security interests and share a lot of information when it comes to intelligence. And we work very closely with the Israelis on the Iran issue."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Shaul Mofaz unexpectedly agreed to form a unity government, with the revival of peace talks with the Palestinians one of its main aims.
The deal was struck in secret talks overnight, while parliament was voting to dissolve itself and head for early elections in September, a move Netanyahu had publicly backed hours earlier.
Carney said the US position would not change on the need for renewed peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, as well as calls to refrain from actions that make it more difficult to negotiate. The US has frequently criticized Israeli settlement activity.
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