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Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 03:15 PM Jan 2014

U.S. demands Netanyahu publicly condemn Ya'alon's attack on Kerry

Senior American officials said Tuesday that the United States was not satisfied with the Israeli government's response to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's statements calling Secretary of State John Kerry "obsessive and messianic."

"We expect the Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to put this right by expressing publicly his disagreement with the statements against Secretary Kerry, The negotiations with the Palestinians and Kerry's commitment to Israel's security," said a senior U.S. official.

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday issued a strong response to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's attack on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth on Tuesday quoted Ya'alon's derisive remarks against the U.S. secretary of state, in which he also reportedly said that he hopes Kerry "gets a Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.568640#

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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U.S. demands Netanyahu publicly condemn Ya'alon's attack on Kerry (Original Post) Jefferson23 Jan 2014 OP
More like protecting their settlement expansions, more: Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #1
How discredit Kerry's plan without attacking Kerry, it's a quandary, all right. nt bemildred Jan 2014 #2
lol, yea I would say so too. Scary remarks are from Lieberman: Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #5
Did he say this on the record? oberliner Jan 2014 #3
I imagine he did, or you wouldn't have Livni speaking out about it. Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #4
Not necessarily oberliner Jan 2014 #9
I'm not sure I understand what you're struggling with. Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #10
reality? n/t azurnoir Jan 2014 #11
. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2014 #13
This is the bloke who called Peace Now a virus LeftishBrit Jan 2014 #6
He is just jumping on the bandwagon .... Israeli Jan 2014 #14
Israel minister apologizes to Kerry over scorn for peace drive Eugene Jan 2014 #7
Well there ya go..thanks Eugene. Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #8
U.S. seizes on Ya'alon insult to tone down Israeli criticism of peace efforts and Iran policies Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #12
Israel's Yaalon risks isolation after Kerry slur Jefferson23 Jan 2014 #15

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
1. More like protecting their settlement expansions, more:
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 03:19 PM
Jan 2014

The defense minister later continued his attack in an address to high school students in Ofakim: "They say time is working against us. We should not be alarmed by all kinds of fear mongering," he said, "we shouldn't get confused, get stressed or give up."

State Department Spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told Haaretz on Tuesday evening that Ya'alon's remarks, if accurate, were "offensive and inappropriate especially given all that the U.S. is doing to support Israel's security needs."

"Secretary Kerry and his team, including General John Allen, have been working day and night to try and promote a secure peace for Israel because of the secretary's deep concern for Israel's future. To question Secretary Kerry's motives and distort his proposal is not something we would expect from the defense minister of a close ally," Psaki said.

Netanyahu for his part distanced himself from Ya'alon's remarks, but stopped short of condemning them.

"The U.S. is our largest partner and the partnership is founded on shared values and interests," Netanyahu said. "Even when there are disagreements between us, they are always substantive and not personal. We work in full cooperation with Vice-President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry to advanced peace and security in the region. We stand firm regarding our own interests, while promoting the important connection between our two countries."

A number of other Israeli leaders, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is on a visit to Geneva, took a tougher stance, slamming Ya'alon's statements as an "unhelpful" attack on Israel's closest friend.

In a meeting with the city's Jewish community, Lieberman said that "it isn't right and is not helpful to Israel to have a loud and public argument. The U.S. is Israel's bravest ally and has proven it many times over the years. So, there is no place for personal attacks, even if there are occasional differences. "

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Kadima) responded to the statements by saying Israel's relations with the U.S. are its biggest strategic asset and are essential to its survival."

"The U.S. secretary of state is working to end the conflict between the Palestinians and us with a deep understanding that this is in Israel's interest, and [guided by] a commitment to Israel's security," Livni said.

"The negotiations are being conducted while safeguarding Israel's interests – namely its security," she added. "One can oppose the talks responsibly without lashing out and destroying relations with our good friend."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) also weighed in Defense Minister Ya'alon's remarks, saying they exposes Likud's true colors.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
5. lol, yea I would say so too. Scary remarks are from Lieberman:
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 06:34 PM
Jan 2014

A number of other Israeli leaders, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is on a visit to Geneva, took a tougher stance, slamming Ya'alon's statements as an "unhelpful" attack on Israel's closest friend.


Looks like he's been won over.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
4. I imagine he did, or you wouldn't have Livni speaking out about it.
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 06:32 PM
Jan 2014

There are quotes in the OP, I believe...but you can check it again..if you like.

 

oberliner

(58,724 posts)
9. Not necessarily
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 08:10 PM
Jan 2014

If they were leaked private comments that a newspaper published, people would still speak out about them.

Sadly, I can't get the whole article because of the premium thing.

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
10. I'm not sure I understand what you're struggling with.
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 08:17 PM
Jan 2014

Senior American officials said Tuesday that the United States was not satisfied with the Israeli government's response to remarks by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, in which he called U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry "obsessive and messianic."

"We expect the Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to put this right by publicly expressing his disagreement with the statements against Secretary Kerry, the negotiations with the Palestinians and Kerry's commitment to Israel's security," said a senior U.S. official.

Ya'alon's statements have sparked serious tension between the two countries. State Department Spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki told Haaretz on Tuesday evening that Ya'alon's remarks, if accurate, were "offensive and inappropriate, especially given all that the U.S. is doing to support Israel's security needs."

"Secretary Kerry and his team, including General John Allen, have been working day and night to try and promote a secure peace for Israel, because of the secretary's deep concern for Israel's future. To question Secretary Kerry's motives and distort his proposal is not something we would expect from the defense minister of a close ally," Psaki said.

Ya'alon has recently made several strong statements, both on- and off-the-record, against the background of Kerry's attempts to advance a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth on Tuesday quoted Ya'alon's derisive "obsessive and messianic" remarks against the U.S. secretary of state, as well as a remark that he hoped Kerry would "get a Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."

Identical statements appeared in Israel Today newspaper last week, though circles close to the defense minister denied that he had made the remarks.

While reaffirming his commitment to working closely with Kerry on Tuesday, Ya'alon did not deny making the remarks. Circles close to him said that Shimon Shiffer, the Yediot Aharnot journalist who quoted the defense minister, had broken the rules of a background briefing.

The defense minister later continued his attack in an address to high school students in Ofakim: "They say time is working against us. We should not be alarmed by all kinds of fear mongering," he said. "We shouldn't get confused, get stressed or give up."

Netanyahu on Tuesday distanced himself from Ya'alon's remarks, but stopped short of condemning them.

"The U.S. is our largest partner and the partnership is founded on shared values and interests," Netanyahu said. "Even when there are disagreements between us, they are always substantive and not personal. We work in full cooperation with Vice-President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry to advanced peace and security in the region. We stand firm regarding our own interests, while promoting the important connection between our two countries."

The U.S. administration has been following the statements emanating from Israel for several weeks. The assumption in Washington is that certain elements in the Israeli government believe that Kerry is promoting the Israel-Palestine peace agreement as a personal project, without the support of President Barack Obama.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden passed a message from President Barack Obama to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, reiterating that the president fully supports Kerry's diplomatic initiative to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

A senior U.S. official told Haaretz that Biden communicated Obama's position and “made it clear that the United States places extremely high value on reaching an agreement that produces two states living side by side in peace and security, but also just underscoring how important Israel’s security requirements are for us.”

Kerry himself was reportedly furious when he read Ya'alon's remarks.

Several Israeli government ministers, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is on a visit to Geneva, slammed Ya'alon's statements as an "unhelpful" attack on Israel's closest friend.

In a meeting with the city's Jewish community, Lieberman said that "it isn't right and is not helpful for Israel and the U.S. to have a loud and public argument. The U.S. is Israel's bravest ally and has proven it many times over the years. So, there is no place for personal attacks, even if there are occasional differences. "

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Kadima) responded to the statements by saying Israel's relations with the U.S. are its biggest strategic asset and are essential to its survival."

"The U.S. secretary of state is working to end the conflict between the Palestinians and us with a deep understanding that this is in Israel's interest, and [guided by] a commitment to Israel's security," Livni said.

"The negotiations are being conducted while safeguarding Israel's interests – namely its security," she added. "One can oppose the talks responsibly without lashing out and destroying relations with our good friend."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) also weighed in Defense Minister Ya'alon's remarks, saying they exposed Likud's true colors.

Ya'alon issued a statement of clarification on Tuesday evening saying "Relations between the U.S. and Israel are intimate and of great importance to Israel. The U.S. is our greatest friend and our most important ally. When there are disagreements we deal with them directly, including with Secretary Kerry, with whom I hold many conversations concerning Israel's future.

LeftishBrit

(41,190 posts)
6. This is the bloke who called Peace Now a virus
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 06:43 PM
Jan 2014

I suggested on another thread that he might be called Israel's Don Rumsfeld (or, speaking as a Brit, I suppose he could be Israel's Liam Fox; and I hope he has to resign too!)

Speaking of Peace Now, here is what they say on the current topic:
http://peacenow.org/entries/press_release_apn_to_us_jewish_groups_condemn_yaalons_anti-kerry_anti-peace_comments#.UtW7pp2Ybhl

Eugene

(61,592 posts)
7. Israel minister apologizes to Kerry over scorn for peace drive
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 07:11 PM
Jan 2014

Source: Reuters

Israel minister apologizes to Kerry over scorn for peace drive

BY DAN WILLIAMS
JERUSALEM Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:42pm EST

(Reuters) - Israel's hawkish defense minister apologized to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday after a newspaper quoted him scorning the diplomat's quest for Israeli-Palestinian peace as messianic and obsessive.

Moshe Yaalon did not deny making the closed-door remarks published on the front page of the best-selling Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, which drew rare condemnation from Washington and added to acrimony over Jewish settlement of occupied West Bank land where the Palestinians seek statehood.

Yaalon was initially silent about the report but he moved to calm the furor after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implicitly rebuked him in a speech. He issued a statement of guarded appreciation for the United States and followed it hours later with another explicitly praising Kerry.

"Israel and the United States share a common goal to advance the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians led by Secretary Kerry," it said, in Hebrew and English.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/14/us-palestinians-israel-kerry-idUSBREA0D0IY20140114

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
12. U.S. seizes on Ya'alon insult to tone down Israeli criticism of peace efforts and Iran policies
Tue Jan 14, 2014, 10:03 PM
Jan 2014

But the angry American reaction is also a reflection of long pent-up frustration at the steady barrage of denigration by right-wing Israeli politicians who take the “special relationship” for granted.

By Chemi Shalev | Jan. 15, 2014

Right-wing Israeli politicians can be excused for believing that the Obama Administration suffers at times from the diplomatic equivalent of battered wife syndrome. The U.S. has enhanced and expanded its security cooperation with Israel in recent years, but is nonetheless subjected to a steady barrage of slights, aspersions and insults by the Israeli right, especially when American officials are engaged, as they are these days, in promoting a peace process with the Palestinians.

The Americans usually prefer to look the other way and turn the other cheek, but in rare and extraordinary circumstances, such as those that converged Tuesday on Defense Minister Ya'alon, they can also lose their cool. They have insisted on a clear cut condemnation by Prime Minister Netanyahu and a straight out apology by Ya'alon himself, which was duly offered on Tuesday night.

After all, an Israeli defense minister who is the beneficiary of unprecedented U.S. military assistance vital to Israel’s security and well-being is supposed to be the last Israeli minister to badmouth an American Secretary of State, especially one who is going all out to achieve the two-state solution that Israel ostensibly seeks. So when Ya'alon describes John Kerry as “obsessive and messianic”, and when he does so at such a critical juncture in Kerry’s peacemaking efforts, the conditions are set for the perfect storm that erupted yesterday in U.S.-Israeli relations.

Ya'alon’s remarks, reported by Yediot Achronot and not denied, are the zenith of what seems to be a concerted campaign of off-the-record slaps in the face and not-for-attribution kicks in the teeth that unnamed Israeli sources have been waging against Kerry in recent weeks. Under the guise of disagreements over security arrangements in the Jordan Valley, opponents of the peace process have been trying to undermine Kerry’s hope to present a framework of principles for an Israeli-Palestinian deal.

In the wake of Foreign Minister Liberman’s recent conversion from enfant terrible to responsible adult, Ya'alon has emerged as the standard bearer of Kerry’s critics on the right. By making a federal case out of Ya'alon’s remarks yesterday, the U.S. hopes not only to draw a line in the sand about what can and cannot be said within the framework of “legitimate disagreements between friends” but to also deter other senior Israeli officials from following in Ya'alon’s outspoken path.

The irony, of course, is that the expansive eulogies to Ariel Sharon in recent days should have served as a warning sign to Ya'alon. As defense minister, Ya'alon can ill afford to be declared persona non grata as Sharon was in 1991, when James Baker decided that it was the then Construction Minister who had crossed the line in his attacks on American peacemaking.

The Americans may also be sending a shot across the Israel’s bow in another area altogether – the battle over the Iranian nuclear negotiations and the additional sanctions bill that is now before the U.S. Senate. By slapping down Ya'alon hard now, the U.S. may be warning Israel not to go too far in urging U.S. lawmakers to approve legislation that the Administration so adamantly opposes.

In recent years, the Obama Administration has learned to live with right wing Israeli politicians, including senior members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition, who either take the “special relationship” between the two countries for granted, or presume that the Republican Party together with the pro-Israel lobby will clean up their mess, or are simply and insanely willing to sacrifice the special ties on the altar of more and more Jewish settlements. The Americans have also learned to absorb countless allegations and insinuations against President Obama and his plot to do harm to the Jewish state.

Ya'alon just happened to say the wrong thing, at the wrong time, about the wrong person. He is now channeling all the pent up frustration and anger that U.S. officials have amassed in many long months of control and restraint. Under the circumstances, Prime Minister Netanyahu may be left with no choice but to rap his defense minister’s knuckles and to declare time out before allowing his ministers to once again lash out at America in the manner they’re used to.

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/.premium-1.568668

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
15. Israel's Yaalon risks isolation after Kerry slur
Thu Jan 16, 2014, 02:57 PM
Jan 2014

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israel's defense minister may have apologized for his offensive comments about US Secretary of State John Kerry but his outburst could see him marginalized by Washington, commentators warned on Wednesday.

A furious diplomatic row erupted between Israel and its closest ally on Tuesday when Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon was quoted as saying Kerry had an "obsession" about the peace process and was working out of a "sense of messianism."

Washington immediately lashed out at the "offensive" remarks, demanding an apology, which was eventually published by Yaalon's office late on Tuesday, although it stopped short of denying the comments.

"The defense minister had no intention to cause any offense to the secretary, and he apologizes if the secretary was offended by words attributed to the minister," it said, expressing appreciation for Kerry's efforts to advance the ongoing peace talks.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=665634

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