The new US administation is rightly pressing Israel to accept the two state solution. The new right wing Israeli cabinet, however, is not listening. Israel appears therefore on a collision course with its main ally and benefactor. Not surprisingly, Mahmoud Abbas is now insisting it is the Palestinians who have no partner for peace.
"Until the Netanyahu government unequivocally affirms its support for the two-state solution, implements Israel's Road Map [2003 peace plan] obligations and abides by previous agreements, Palestinians have no partner for peace,"
US envoy George Mitchell is backing the 2002 Arab peace initiative - under which Arab states would normalise relations with Israel in exchange for full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza - as the basis of peace talks.
Yet, the Israeli leadership appear oblivious to the major sea change that has occured in the US adminisration following their disastrous handling of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza and the election of Barak Obama.
For example, Mr Netanyahu's interior minister, Eli Yishai, told an audience of Jewish property owners in East Jerusalem (who now outnumber Palestinians) that the Israeli government is a government of settlers and settlements. Speaking on Monday, Mr Yishai described the Palestinian neighbourhood of Silwan in the eastern Israeli-occupied part of the city - known to Israelis as the City of David - as "bedrock of our existence".
Many who care for a negotiated agreement between Israelis and Palestinians based on the Roadmap providing peace and security for both nations, fear that what the Israelis regard as their 'bedrock' will prove to be quick sand.
Like a gambler who cannot give up his addiction, the Israeli leadership do not appear to know when to stop.