The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has met with visiting Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, in Washington. Both sides continue to differ on the issue of Jewish settlements.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Avigdor Lieberman (L) hold a joint press conference at the US State Department in Washington, DC. [Win Mcnamee/AFP/Getty Images]

Clinton re-affirmed that Israel's security is and will remain a cornerstone of US foreign policy. But she also said the US wants Israel to halt settlement activity in the West Bank. Lieberman said Israel is ready to have immediate direct talks with the Palestinians, but insisted on what he calls the natural growth of Jewish settlements.