Know Comment: Kerry, stay home!

The secretary of state carries a badly broken American moral compass.

By DAVID M. WEINBERG
Updated: OCTOBER 15, 2015 20:48
US Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Iran nuclear agreement in Washington, July 28, 2015. (photo credit: REUTERS)
US Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Iran nuclear agreement in Washington, July 28, 2015.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US Secretary of State John Kerry is promising/ threatening to fly over here to try “to find ways to reduce the Israeli-Palestinian tensions and then start to work, collaboratively hopefully, toward a two-state solution.”
Well, gee, no thanks.
Kerry and his boss, US President Barack Obama, are responsible for shaping the broader inflammatory context that has spawned the current wave of Palestinian terrorism against Israel. He and Obama are guilty of encouraging Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the latter’s escalating campaign of brazen lies, violent confrontation and diplomatic assault against Israel.
Israelis would be happier to see Kerry here had he said something over the last 10 days like this: “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent wave of terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians that has resulted in a number of tragic deaths and injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. We are deeply concerned by escalating incitement and violence that does nothing to advance the interests of peace, stability and security in the region.”
Instead, Kerry callously said that he “wasn’t going to get into assigning blame for the cycle of violence” in the region, and that “both sides” were posing “challenges” to the two-state solution.
Israelis would be happier to see Kerry here had he said something recently like this: “There can be no justification for these Palestinian attacks, and we will continue to oppose efforts to undermine Israel’s legitimacy or right to defend herself in the face of terrorism.”
Instead, Kerry cravenly suggested that there was justification for Palestinian attacks, explaining, “You have this violence because there’s a frustration that is growing among Palestinians who don’t see any diplomatic movement.” Kerry’s spokesman then outrageously proceeded to criticize the “use of excessive force” [sic] by Israel in responding to Palestinian terrorism.
Israelis would be happier to see Kerry had he said something like this: “We will not tolerate or go along with the singling out of Israel for blame in the problems of the Middle East. It’s just not true and not justified. A lot of it is rooted in a hatred of Israel and a not-very-well-disguised anti-Semitism.”
Instead, Kerry treacherously pinned the blame for the current problems on Israel by noting (falsely) that “there’s been a massive increase in settlements over the course of the last years.”
Yeah, it’s all because of those damn settlements, you see. The real culprits, when Palestinians stab Israelis to death, are people expanding their kitchens in Kedumim. So Kerry just can’t bring himself to speak out clearly and unequivocally against the slashing of 13-year-old Israeli children and 70-year-old Israeli women in the streets of Jerusalem.
In fact, the settlements are so dominant in Kerry’s corrupted mind that he is compelled to seek (im) moral equivalencies when talking about terrorism. So while mildly expressing disapproval of Arab violence, Kerry’s spokesman rushed to simultaneously point out that the State Department had reviewed an October 9 stabbing of four Arab men in the Israeli town of Dimona and considered it an “act of terrorism” as well.
Israelis would be happier to see Kerry had he said something principled like this: “We think that unilateral actions to try to attain recognition for a Palestinian state are unjustified.”
Instead, the Kerry slyly let it be known that Washington was “considering its way forward” at the United Nations, meaning that it may no longer oppose resolutions seeking to unilaterally force Palestinian statehood, whether they be brought forward by the French or the Palestinians. As Obama warned darkly over a year ago, it is becoming “too hard” for the US to stand up for Israel at these global forums.
By the way, the four fine statements of support for Israel cited above – which Kerry eschewed – aren’t Israeli propaganda. They are exact quotes from the admirable Canadian prime minister and foreign minister.
The Canadian moral compass is working well! It’s what you expect from fair-minded and reasonable statesman. It’s what you expect from true friends of Israel.
If John Kerry were truly one of Israel’s very best friends – as he constantly avers – he should have made these additional comments about Palestinian incitement: “The remarks made by Mahmoud Abbas suggesting that ‘filthy Israeli feet’ that are ‘desecrating’ the Temple Mount are shocking and offensive; as is his denial of the Temples of ancient Israel as an historical fact.
President Abbas’s accusations that Israel is threatening al-Aksa Mosque on Haram al-Sharif are false and incendiary, too.
“We cannot accept the speech in which Mr. Abbas said, ‘Each drop of blood that is spilled in Jerusalem is pure blood as long as it’s for the sake of Allah,’ and ‘Every shahid will be in heaven and every wounded person will be rewarded, by Allah’s will.’ “The US also cannot accept Mr. Abbas’s comments praising the ‘heroism’ of a Palestinian terrorist who sought to assassinate an Israeli human rights activist.
The PA’s continued special support payments to the families of Palestinian terrorists must end. The blatant anti-Semitic speeches and videos on Palestinian television must end.”
But of course, Kerry has been utterly silent. He has had no comment on any of these Palestinians outrages.
He made none of these statements critical of Palestinian radicalism.
Remember when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns about low Jewish and high Arab voter turnout on Israeli election day? Obama and Kerry went bananas. They quickly and loudly blasted him as a racist, and for days went on vengefully about how they would “not forget” this remark.
They have thrown this remark back in Netanyahu’s face repeatedly, and reminded reporters of it in White House background briefings a dozen times. It continues to hang over Washington-Jerusalem relations like a black cloud.
This shows the prejudicial way in which Obama and Kerry approach the Israeli-Palestinian arena.
The John Kerry that doesn’t have it in him to back Israel up at this time of testing is the same John Kerry who brought us the “there-is-no-better-deal” with Iran. He is the same arrogant Kerry who now wants to drive a perilous deal for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem – which he will insist is “the-best-deal-possible-in-Israel’s-interests.”
And as he did regarding the Iran accord, Kerry will assail anybody who opposes his precipitous West Bank deal as a warmonger.
There was a time when Israel could rely on America as its ultimate ally, and as a solidly honest broker in Mideast crises. Then came Obama and Kerry. Their administration is more problem than partner.
We don’t need John Kerry to fly here with admonitions for Israel and rewards for Palestinian extremism.
Kerry, stay home.
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