WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said on Monday, April 28, it was “startled and disappointed” by reports that Secretary of State John Kerry used the highly inappropriate and offensive term “apartheid” to warn what might become of Israel should an agreement not be reached with the Palestinians.
Kerry reportedly said that Israel will become “an apartheid state” in a closed door meeting of the Trilateral Commission with European and Asian leaders on Friday.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement: “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. We appreciate Mr. Kerry’s deep concern for Israel and his desires to ensure that it have a future of peace and security.
“Even if he used the repugnant language of Israel’s adversaries and accusers to express concern for Israel’s future, it was undiplomatic, unwise and unfair. Such references are not seen as expressions of friendship and support.”
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House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) said “Reports that Secretary Kerry has suggested Israel is becoming an apartheid state 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.
“Unfortunately, Secretary Kerry and the Obama Administration have often been quick to blame Israel for obstacles in the peace process, and have been comparatively silent about the continuing unwillingness of Palestinian leaders to even acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
“President Obama has rejected the use of the term apartheid in the past, correctly saying it is historically inaccurate and emotionally loaded. I hope that President Obama will again reiterate these views, and call on Secretary Kerry to apologize to the Israeli government and people.
If he is committed to a successful peace process, Secretary Kerry would do better to warn President Mahmoud Abbas of embracing Hamas, a terrorist organization that denies the Holocaust and is committed to the destruction of Israel.”
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Republican Jewish Coalition wants President to comment on Kerry
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) demanded that President Obama address an inflammatory comment that Secretary of State John Kerry made during his remarks to the Trilateral Commission on Friday. He raised the prospect of Israel becoming “an apartheid state with second-class citizens,” according to a recording obtained by the Daily Beast.
RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said: “Kerry’s language is not just inflammatory and inaccurate, it also jeopardizes American peace process efforts. It will further encourage the Palestinians to act and speak as if only Israel must make concessions in the peace process, even as the Obama administration has stressed that the Palestinians must make “very, very tough decisions” for peace. [White House Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken on Face the Nation, 4/27/2014].
President Obama must clarify whether Secretary Kerry’s statement reflects his administration’s views and policy.
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