As Netanyahu visits Europe, relations frayed

Click photo to enlarge German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanjahu, in front of the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 for a joint dinner prior to intergovernmental talks on Thursday. «1234» BERLIN—It was supposed to be an amicable meeting between close friends. Instead, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Germany has been soured by Berlin's refusal to oppose a Palestinian U.N. statehood bid and anger throughout Europe over Israeli plans to expand settlements around Jerusalem. The sensitivity of Netanyahu's trip to one of Israel's closest allies in Europe offers a taste of the...