Israeli official: Kerry's apartheid comment calls U.S. role as honest broker into question
* The irony is rich.
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon writes in opinion piece for Politico apartheid comment is just the latest in a series of 'erroneous declarations.
By Haaretz | Apr. 30, 2014
John Kerry's statement that Israel will risk becoming an apartheid state if a two-state solution isn't reached soon is one of a series of statements that call into question the Obama administration's "ability to act as an honest broker," Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon wrote in an opinion piece for Politico.
"Time and again, Secretary Kerry’s erroneous declarations have come dangerously close to suggesting moral equivalency between Israel and its adversaries," wrote Danon. "They call into question his administration’s ability to act as an honest broker in our region."
Danon said Kerry's apartheid comment, which he made while speaking at the Trilateral Commission before senior officials from the United States, Europe, Russia and Japan, was just the latest in a series of destructive statements.
Kerry, who has since clarified that he in no way considers Israel to be an apartheid state, responded to a question in July about why the peace talks were so important by asking whether Israel wants a third intifada. "By insinuating that if we do not give in to every Palestinian demand to ensure a successful end to the talks, we would return to the era of suicide bombers murdering hundreds of civilians in Israeli city centers, the secretary basically asked the state of Israel to negotiate with a loaded gun to our heads," wrote Danon.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.588207
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