US: Israeli defence miniser remarks against Kerry offensive

The US said Tuesday that the comments of the Israeli Defense Minister against Secretary of State John Kerry are "offensive and inappropriate." An Israeli newspaper has published comments made by minister Moshe Yaalon in which he said Kerry is "acting out of misplaced obsession and messianic fervor" in pushing for resuming peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters "if these comments are accurate, we find the remarks of the defense minister to be offensive and inappropriate, especially given all that the United States has done to support Israel's security needs and will continue to do." She stressed that Kerry and his team "have been working day and night to try to promote a secure peace for Israel because of the secretary's deep concern for Israel's future. That's precisely why the secretary and his team have been working so hard here."To question his motives, to distort his proposals is not something we would expect from the defense minister of a close ally, and again, if accurate, I think we've been very clear that we would find these comments offensive and inappropriate," she reiterated. On the other hand, White House Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters in his briefing that Yaalon's comments "if accurate, are offensive and inappropriate." He added "we are, as we always make clear, committed to Israel's security; we are committed to the Middle East peace process in a way that secures Israel. "