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Britain scolded U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for describing the Israeli government as the most right-wing in Israeli

Britain scolded U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for describing the Israeli government as the most right-wing in Israeli

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Britain rebuked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for calling Israel’s government the most right-wing in its history. The move pushes Prime Minister Theresa May closer to President-elect Donald Trump.   Kerry angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by backing a UN resolution that demanded an end to settlement building. In a speech, he warned that settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem threatened Middle East peace.   Britain voted for the resolution but rejected Kerry’s focus on settlements alone. A spokesman for May said Israel had endured terrorism for too long and peace required more than pressure on settlements. London also objected to Kerry’s attack on the makeup of Netanyahu’s coalition. “It is not appropriate to attack the composition of a democratically elected government,” the spokesman said.   The U.S. State Department expressed surprise at Britain’s criticism and said Kerry’s remarks aligned with London’s policy. It thanked Germany, France, Canada, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE for support.   May’s stance highlights her struggle to build ties with Trump, who spoke to nine leaders before her and even suggested Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage as ambassador. By criticizing Kerry, May appears closer to Trump than to European allies like Germany and France.   Trump has promised to reverse Obama’s Israel policy. “We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such disdain and disrespect,” he tweeted. “Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!”   Germany’s foreign minister welcomed Kerry’s speech, while France plans a Middle East peace conference next month. Australia distanced itself from Obama’s approach. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Israel to halt settlements before peace talks resume.   Netanyahu blasted Kerry’s speech as biased, saying Israel did not need lectures from foreign leaders. He accused Kerry of obsessing over settlements while ignoring Palestinian refusal to accept a Jewish state. Netanyahu said he looked forward to working with Trump.   Kerry’s remarks boosted Israel’s far-right national-religious bloc led by Education Minister Naftali Bennett. Bennett’s Jewish Home party calls for annexing large parts of the West Bank and rejects a Palestinian state. He pushes for more settlements, including legalizing illegal outposts. “The Obama administration’s policy has left the Middle East in flames,” Bennett said. “Israel has been thrown under the bus.”      
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on Middle East peace at the Department of State in Washington December 28, 2016. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on Middle East peace at the Department of State in Washington December 28, 2016. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan


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