John Kerry, the Secretary of State, said Israel could be come an "apartheid state" if there isn't a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East.
Kerry seems to be on the same page as anti-Semite Jimmy Carter.
People have reacted to Kerry's comments with disgust and outrage.
That's completely appropriate.
From The Daily Beast:
John Kerry’s warning that the lack of a two-state solution in the Middle East could lead to Israel becoming an “apartheid state” created a firestorm on Monday. Kerry’s remarks, made in a closed door meeting of the Trilateral Commission and first reported by The Daily Beast Sunday night, provoked strong reactions from across the political spectrum.Sen. Ted Cruz has called on Kerry to resign.
Jewish organizations in the United States like AIPAC and the Anti Defamation League quickly expressed their dismay. In a statement, Abe Foxman, the president of the Anti Defamation League said ”it is startling and deeply disappointing that a diplomat so knowledgeable and experienced about democratic Israel chose to use such an inaccurate and incendiary term.” These remarks were echoed in a statement from AIPAC, the bipartisan pro-Israel lobby, which said “Any suggestion that Israel is, or is at risk of becoming, an apartheid state is offensive and inappropriate.”
Politicians also got involved in the brouhaha. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) urged Kerry to apologize, saying that the Secretary of State’s remarks "are extremely disappointing. The use of the word apartheid has routinely been dismissed as both offensive and inaccurate, and Secretary Kerry's use of it makes peace even harder to achieve." Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, shared Cantor’s outrage, saying “these comments are outrageous and disappointing.”
But not everyone viewed Kerry’s remarks as a gaffe. J Street, the dovish, left-wing Middle East lobbying organization, issued a statement saying “Instead of putting energy into attacking Secretary Kerry, those who are upset with the Secretary's use of the term should put their energy into opposing and changing the policies that are leading Israel down this road.”
That, of course, won't happen. Kerry merely echoed the views of Obama and other Leftists.
No one should be surprised by Kerry's remarks, nor should anyone be surprised that Obama hasn't condemned what Kerry said.
