Kerry Angered by Israeli Ministers Sharp Criticism Washington (AFP) - In a rare move, Secretary of State John Kerry protested Wednesday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about strong criticism of US foreign policy by his outspoken defense minister. In a telephone call, Kerry told Netanyahu the comments made by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon are inconsistent with strong ties between Israel and the United States, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. Clearly his comments were not constructive, Psaki told reporters, after Yaalon slammed the US administration for showing weakness around the world, particularly on its policy with Iran and Ukraine. Secretary Kerry spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning and protested to him his concerns about these comments, she said, adding that the United States has an unshakeable commitment to Israels security. It is certainly confusing to us why Defense Minister Yaalon would continue his pattern of making comments that dont accurately represent the scope of our close partnership on a range of security issues and on the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel. But Kerry has a thick skin and were ready to move forward and keep talking about the peace process, Psaki added. It is not Yaalons first diatribe against the administration of President Barack Obama and Kerry himself. In January, the State Department denounced as offensive comments made by the defense minister accusing Kerry of an incomprehensible obsession with his push for Middle East peace. Yaalon was later forced to apologize to the top US diplomat, who has been trying to hammer out for the past year a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians. Psaki refused to divulge what Netanyahus response was on Wednesdays call, nor whether Kerry had asked the Israeli prime minister to fire Yaalon. Netanyahus office would not comment on the call, but Israeli news website Ynet said the premier had spoken to Yaalon about the matter and that a source in the defense ministers office said Yaalon was expected to smooth things over with the Americans. In an address to Tel Aviv University, Yaalon was quoted as saying Tuesday that if the United States continued to demonstrate weakness overseas, its own security would be harmed. If you sit and wait at home, terrorism will come again, the Haaretz daily quoted him as saying. If your image is feebleness, it doesnt pay in the world... I hope the United States comes to its senses. If it doesnt, it will challenge the world order and the United States is the one that will suffer. He also toughened his line on Iran and appeared ready to back an Israeli military strike. We had thought the ones who should lead the (military) campaign against Iran is the United States... But at some stage, the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better, he said.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:37:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015