Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu at a News Conference in Jerusalem
IN PHOTO: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference at his office in Jerusalem August 6, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Hollander

Israel, considered to be closest strategic ally of the United States, has expressed concern that a crisis is brewing in its relations with the U.S. The flash point was the alleged snub meted out to Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon by the Obama administration during his visit to Washington, last week.

The issue was raised by Israel's finance minister Yair Lapid at a cultural event in Tel Aviv on Saturday. He said, "I see a crisis with the U.S and we should treat it as a crisis. Relations with the U.S. are important for Israel and we must do everything to get out of the crisis."

Important Meetings Denied

According to reports in the Jerusalem Post, Israeli Defence Minister was denied many important meetings by the U.S. and it was confirmed by a U.S. official. The meetings refused were with those with Vice President, Joe Biden and Secretary of State, John Kerry, reports Guardian.

It is believed that the U.S. snub was a reaction to some comments made by Ya'alon recently that Kerry was "obsessive" and "messianic." Though the comments were made in a private conversation, they were leaked to the media. A U.S. official told Jerusalem Post that the "Obama administration was disturbed by some of the comments made by the Defence minister, in the past. So it was no surprise that he was not able to get some of the key meetings he had requested,"

However, the Israeli defence minister in an interview during the Visit, told Washington Post that his past comments about Kerry have been overcome. "We overcame that," he told the paper. In the same interview Moshe Ya'alon claimed that, "I can tell you that between the Pentagon and the Israel defence forces there is an unbreakable bond."

Ya'alon acknowledged that disputes among politicians are common but, "Despite some disputes, the United States is Israel's strategic ally." Ya'alon was also denied a meeting with National Security Adviser Susan Rice. However, Ya'alon was received by Defence Secretary, Chuck Hagel, and was given a small guard of honour. He also met U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power.

US Downplays Issue

Jen Psaki, spokeswoman, the U.S State Department downplayed the Israeli concern and said the defense minister had a meeting with his American counterpart, Hagel. This is a "standard procedure," she said, reports J Post. On Ya'alon's past comments about Kerry, Psaki said Kerry had already acknowledged that "he had been the target of things much worse than words" and noted that Kerry still works closely with many Israeli officials though he could not meet the Defence Minister."

But, Prime Minister Netanyahu, during his recent U.S. visit to attend the UN General assembly had met President Barack Obama and Mr. John Kerry. One more reason for the estrangement by U.S. is said to be the settlement activity being pursued by Israel in West Bank. Despite differences, in the recent Gaza war. America stood with Israel at the United Nations and gave it strong support despite global criticism.

Meanwhile, Ehud Barak, former prime minister told Channel 1 TV that the U.S. is Israel's "most important ally. But as a sovereign state, Israel does not have to accept anyone's dictates. At the same time, we have to respect the sovereignty of the U.S. and exercise mutual respect". But he cautioned that, "Make no mistake of it. Support for Israel in the US is not growing and that is disconcerting" .