After his words were leaked to Yediot Achronot, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon came under blistering criticism from US State Department.
Yaalon was speaking in a closed forum, describing US Secretary of State John Kerry as messianic and obsessive, rejecting the Kerry peace vision for an agreement between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority). Yaalon stated Kerry and the US will not teach him about the realities surrounding security concerns in Israel.
However, the left-wing outrage in Israel and the damage control statement released by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have led to Yaalon apologizing for his statements. Yaalon office on Tuesday night the eve of 14 Shevat issued an apology to Secretary Kerry, explaining the minister did not intend to offend the senior US official.
The statement included the standard required mantra, reaffirming Israels commitment to the diplomatic process with the PA and stating Yerushalayim remains committed to working together with the United States to reach agreement with the PA. Yaalons statement also expressed appreciation for Kerrys shuttle diplomacy efforts.
However, the statement did not include any form of a denial that the words attributed to the senior minister were actually said by him.
Israel Radio is devoting significant air time interviewing prominent left-wingers to provide them adequate airtime to express their shock and horror over Yaalons words against Israels closest ally.
In reality, the defense minister is not naïve, and his words were not leaked but leaked intentionally. Some feel that his statements do not just represent his view, but the leak permitted the US to understand Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is of the same opinion and Yaalon was simply the unofficial government spokesperson. The incident has passed, the remarks made, criticism followed and the apology was issued.
(YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Obama and Kerry don’t point your bloody finger at us Jews or the land of Israel , point your dirty finger at the Arabs they are bloody as yours
The truth hurts.
“Some feel that his statements do not just represent his view, but the leak permitted the US to understand Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is of the same opinion and Yaalon was simply the unofficial government spokesperson.”
Exactly. And so what? Ya’alon does not have to apologize. The Obama administration has been very hostile to their Israely counterparts. Obama/Kerry/Hillary etc have their heads buried deep in the sand. They very well know that everything Ya’alon said is %100 accurate. There is nobody on the Palestinian side who is capable or willing to make “piece” with Israel, no matter how much Israel capitulates to them. The Palestinians want every Israely dead! Anyone with a half a brain, knows that the US is just going thru the motions & shouldn’t take their foreign minister too serious! If Kerri thinks to highly of himself, that’s his problem!
Why is an apology due?
KERRY is a broker for the ARABS and has never stood up for Israel’s needs and life concerns.
Only this week, Irans deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the US President was not telling the truth in stating that Iran would dismantle a key part of its nuclear program. The White House response: Never mind what the Iranians say; its what they do that matters a freedom evidently denied Israel.