Kerry Apologizes to Netanyahu to for US Officials’ Insults

Local Editor

US Secretary of State John Kerry called "Israeli" PM Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, to apologise for the comments made about him by US officials and published earlier this week by The Atlantic.

Netanyahu's' Office confirmed Friday that the conversation had taken place.

In an article published Tuesday, columnist Jeffrey Goldberg quoted several American officials who insulted Netanyahu, including one who called the prime minister "chickenshit". Another said that he was interested solely in his own political future.

According to Goldberg, over the years Washington officials have described Netanyahu as recalcitrant, myopic, reactionary, obtuse, blustering, and pompous - but none of these insults were as surprising, he says, as "chickenshit."
One official told Goldberg that the "Israeli" premier was a "coward" on Iran and that the Obama administration no longer believes Netanyahu's threats of a pre-emptive airstrike on Tehran's nuclear facilities.

Kerry said Thursday that the comments were "outrageous and unacceptable."

"We condemn anybody who uses language such as was used in this article," Kerry told an audience at the annual Washington Ideas Forum. "It does not reflect the president, it does not reflect me, it is disgraceful, unacceptable, damaging."
Netanyahu said in response to the article that he was under attack because he is "defending "Israel"."

"I respect our ties with the US," Netanyahu said Wednesday, but added, "I'm not ready to make concessions that would endanger "Israel"."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team