Secretary of State John Kerry vehemently defended the Obama administration’s approach to Israel in a Wednesday speech and warned that a two-state solution is in “serious jeopardy.”
“No American administration has done more for Israel’s security than Barack Obama’s,” Kerry said.
Last week, the United States abstained from a United Nations vote on a resolution criticizing Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and refused to use its veto when the resolution passed.
Kerry said that the United States did not “abandon Israel” with this abstention, and reiterated the Obama administration’s commitment to the two-state solution as the way forward. He also said that this decision does not “break new ground,” because almost ever other country in the world — including allies to Israel such as France and the United Kingdom — opposes settlements.
Kerry on the US and Israel: "Friends need to tell each other the hard truths. And friendships require mutual respect."
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 28, 2016
Kerry openly questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to the two-state solution, and called Netanyahu’s administration the “most right wing” in Israeli history.
“If the choice is one state, Israel can be either be Jewish or Democratic,” Kerry said. “It cannot be both, and it won’t ever really be at peace.”
President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter earlier in the day to criticize the Obama administration’s treatment of Israel, and said that his administration will handle things very differently.
We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but…….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
Netanyahu reportedly told Murray McCully, the foreign minister of New Zealand, that he views the U.N. resolution as a “declaration of war,” warning that “there will be consequences.”
The Israeli PM thanked Trump — and two of his children, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump — for their “warm friendship” and “clear-cut support” on Twitter.
President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel! 🇮🇱🇺🇸@IvankaTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr https://t.co/lURPimG0wS
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 28, 2016
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that Congress plans to escalate the tension between the U.N. and the U.S. over the anti-settlement resolution even before Trump takes office.
According to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Netanyahu told him, “Please stand with us, it’s time to take the gloves off.”