The White House on Tuesday blasted Israel's defense minister after reports that he called Secretary of State John Kerry
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"What I can tell you is that the remarks of the Israeli defense minister, if accurate, are offensive and inappropriate, especially in light of everything that the United States is doing to support Israel's security needs," White House press secretary Jay Carney said. "Secretary Kerry and his team have been working nonstop in their efforts to promote a secure peace for Israel because of the deep concern the United States has and the deep commitment the United States has for and to Israel's future and the Israeli people."
"To question Secretary Kerry's motives and distort his proposals is not something we would expect from the defense minister of a close ally — again, that's if those remarks are accurate, as reported," Carney said.
According to a report from the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, Moshe Ya'alon said that Kerry's proposed pace plan was "not worth the paper it's written on."
“American Secretary of State John Kerry, who turned up here determined and acting out of misplaced obsession and messianic fervor, cannot teach me anything about the conflict with the Palestinians," he reportedly said.
Ya'alon also suggested that the Israelis and Palestinians weren't making progress.
“In reality, there have been no negotiations between us and the Palestinians for all these months, but rather between us and the Americans. The only thing that can 'save us' is for John Kerry to win a Nobel Prize and leave us in peace," he said.
The comments came just before Kerry returned to region to resume negotiations, and earned condemnation from some Israeli officials.
“Our relations with the US are our biggest national strategic asset, and they are vital for Israel's security," said Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni on her Facebook page. "You can oppose the negotiations and still not verbally attack and damage our relationship with our best ally."
- Rebecca Shabad contributed.
