Another round in the spat between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama was launched on Nov. 11, this time in an editorial in The New York Times. Ever since Netanyahu took off his gloves and collided head-on with the deal being hashed out between Iran and the major powers, he has found himself becoming the world’s punching bag. From left, right and center, he is being stabbed, criticized and dubbed “hysterical.” In the editorial, the New York Times — which is said to be well-connected to the White House — accused Netanyahu of sabotaging attempts to broker a deal that would curb Iran’s nuclear program.

The extent to which the relationship and trust between Washington and Jerusalem have deteriorated can be evidenced not only in reports and public statements but also in the “responsible adult” who on Nov. 11 tried to cool the heated atmosphere. I’m referring to the old-new Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, who is considered a serial Middle Eastern pyromaniac. Now he is the one rolling up his sleeves in a bid to clear the air.

At a reception in his honor on the occasion of his return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberman said, “The mainstay of Israel’s foreign relations is its relationship with the United States. We need to make it clear and cool down the emotions. My first work meeting this morning was with the US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro. We need to understand that our relationship with the United States is our main asset, without which we would not be able to negotiate today’s world. Even when there are differences of opinion — and there have always been differences — they should not be aired in public. They should be dealt with internally, and I think we need to sound an all-clear siren on this issue.”

This was a bold hint on the part of Liberman to Netanyahu, to the effect of, “We do not need to bicker with the Americans over the front pages. We can do the same thing with an equally strong effect inside the room.”