"A Crisis of Historic Proportions"

I need time to sit down and sort through what has been happening since last week in U.S.-Israel relations.  What happened:  Last week, Vice President Biden went to Israel and the Palestinian territories to help launch indirect talks between the two sides.  While he was there, an Israeli government office announced plans for the building of more Jewish housing in East Jerusalem.  The Obama administration views this as a direct slap in the face of the United States.

• So far the best thing I've read is Tom Friedman's column from yesterday in the Times.
• Secretary of State Clinton rebuked Israel in unusually sharp terms.
  
• Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., says that this is a crisis that has brought U.S.-Israel relations to a 35-year-low (the title of this post is a quote from him).  Oren is a fascinating person, a serious historian in addition to his involvement in public life.  His book on the Six-Day War is terrific.
  
• Political football in the U.S. -- Rep. Eric Cantor, the second ranking Republican in the House (he's Jewish) blasted the administration for its handling of this.

I'm keeping my eyes open for thoughtful commentary from Israel.  You can read the above links for a sense of the scene.It's helpful to read the site of an Israeli paper each day, at least for a glance.  I prefer Haaretz, but the Jerusalem Post seems good too.