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[rooster59]

US 'surprised' by UK criticism of Kerry's Israel speech

Chris Cummins

 

 

The Unites States has issued a candid reply to the British government after a spokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May criticised US Secretary of State John Kerry for his comments on Israeli settlement expansion.

 

As John Kerry prepares to vacate the state department he delivered a stinging criticism of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

Kerry described the Israeli government as: “the most right wing coalition in Israeli history” and slammed the ongoing expansion of settlements in the occupied territories.

 

Kerry added that the “the status quo is leading toward one state and perpetual occupation.’‘

 

A member of May’s staff described Kerry’s speech as “inappropriate.”

 

The state department replied that it was surprised by the UK statement, and believed the comments were “in-line with the UK’s own longstanding policy and its vote at the United Nations last week.”

 

The UK backed the UN vote that condemned Israeli settlement expansion.

 

Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-12-31

 

[daveAustin]

Let's be clear here, it was a 'spokesman' remarking on what Kerry said about the Israeli gov being right wing, not about it being wrong for them to be building and certainly not from May herself.

[craigt3365]

24 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Let's be clear here, it was a 'spokesman' remarking on what Kerry said about the Israeli gov being right wing, not about it being wrong for them to be building and certainly not from May herself.

Agreed.  From the OP:
 

Quote

The UK backed the UN vote that condemned Israeli settlement expansion.

 

[tonbridgebrit]

I want to know who was the spokesperson who made this remark.  And whoever it was, should shut up, and be fired.

This type of thing, where a spokesperson says stuff that is NOT in line with government policy, is highly dangerous. Policy is policy, we don't want communications staff giving a different picture to the picture that Britain stands for.

And John Kerry, I'm not one of your biggest fans, but my government backs what you said. Please ignore whatever member of staff who said that your speech was 'inappropriate'.


"Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks."
Theresa, sack the person who made this comment. Go on, do it, this person has made you look silly.

 

[Yann55]

Quote : Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.

 

So :

 

1/ she doesn't have the guts to acknowledge that Britain is the US's little dog on a leash, and has been ever since the days of Margaret T.

2/ she hires a spokesperson who speaks only for him/herself ? It's either cynicism or amateurism, and both stink.

[KKr]

I thought the speech was quite matter of fact.
This settlement policy has been allowed to grow out of hand at the expense of the indigenous population.

[craigt3365]

22 minutes ago, Yann55 said:

Quote : Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.

 

So :

 

1/ she doesn't have the guts to acknowledge that Britain is the US's little dog on a leash, and has been ever since the days of Margaret T.

2/ she hires a spokesperson who speaks only for him/herself ? It's either cynicism or amateurism, and both stink.

Or perhaps she doesn't want to publicly admonish her subordinate?  If Britain was a dog on a leash, they would have abstained on the vote.  Same as the US.  But they didn't. 

[Yann55]

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

Or perhaps she doesn't want to publicly admonish her subordinate?  If Britain was a dog on a leash, they would have abstained on the vote.  Same as the US.  But they didn't. 

 

That's because Britons are always trying to have their cake and eat it.

 

Vote for the resolution, then say Kerry is wrong, then say that the spokesperson is wrong. The only clear message here is that the message is unclear.

 

Vote for Brexit and then do everything they can to postpone the actual consequences, because they suddenly realize these consequences aren't so good for Britain after all.

 

[jesimps]

10 minutes ago, Yann55 said:

 

That's because Britons are always trying to have their cake and eat it.

 

Vote for the resolution, then say Kerry is wrong, then say that the spokesperson is wrong. The only clear message here is that the message is unclear.

 

Vote for Brexit and then do everything they can to postpone the actual consequences, because they suddenly realize these consequences aren't so good for Britain after all.

 

It isn't those who voted for Brexit trying to stop it, it's the remainers refusing to abide by the referendum result. Get a grip lad.

 

 

[Golden Brown]

The UK hasn't got the strength to stand up against the UN, let alone Kerry's derisive statements on Israel.   Good on the UK spokesman to air the majority of the UK's peoples views on this subject as was the case for brexit.   Roll-on the 20th January and good riddance to Obama and his admin who have done nothing whatsoever on foreign policy, if anything are now adversely affecting their strongest middle east ally (Israel) with their derisory last minute actions.   As for the UK, no doubt Theresa May will change her stance once Trump is in power as will many other countries throughout the world.   

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, Yann55 said:

Quote : Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.

 

So :

 

1/ she doesn't have the guts to acknowledge that Britain is the US's little dog on a leash, and has been ever since the days of Margaret T.

2/ she hires a spokesperson who speaks only for him/herself ? It's either cynicism or amateurism, and both stink.

 

Wakey wakey. Do you think the very eager to get into bed with the US France or the special Obama "friend" Merkel's Germany are any more than that? That's the 3 current EU leaders all on tight leashes.

 

And all the other leaders in the West have total control of their spokes people do they?

 

Head up you own syndrome sport.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, Yann55 said:

 

That's because Britons are always trying to have their cake and eat it.

 

Vote for the resolution, then say Kerry is wrong, then say that the spokesperson is wrong. The only clear message here is that the message is unclear.

 

Vote for Brexit and then do everything they can to postpone the actual consequences, because they suddenly realize these consequences aren't so good for Britain after all.

 

 

While Hollande never does U-Turns, contradict himself and his wonderful just like his government? Only surpassed by the never wrong Mrs Merkel and her regime who are now saying that terrorism is the most serious threat to Germany - but not mentioning how they facilitated it!!

 

EU - blessed with such wonderful politicians and bureaucrats. 

 

Seems it's currently PC to bash Israel. 

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, Yann55 said:

 

That's because Britons are always trying to have their cake and eat it.

 

Vote for the resolution, then say Kerry is wrong, then say that the spokesperson is wrong. The only clear message here is that the message is unclear.

 

Vote for Brexit and then do everything they can to postpone the actual consequences, because they suddenly realize these consequences aren't so good for Britain after all.

 

 

Off topic - your dislike of Britain too much to control?

 

France, that bastion of liberty, fraternity and equality - 555!

 

Germany, looking a tad wobbly - and still not doing anything about the criminals running VW.

 

Italy, about to implode and probably the next shock to the EU.

 

Greece and Spain - tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.

 

Britain appeased the neo liberal socialist politically correct anti democracy loonies too long. It should have stayed and lead the fight against them from within.

[stevenl]

Just practicing for the new tone with Trump coming in.

[TheFishman1]

I don't know any other country that other country's can dictate where the country can build within there own borders honestly the United Ststes should let it be 

[craigt3365]

13 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

I don't know any other country that other country's can dictate where the country can build within there own borders honestly the United Ststes should let it be 

You are aware who voted for this resolution, and who sponsored it?  It wasn't the US but many other countries.  Perhaps they should all let it be also?

[elgordo38]

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Kerry added that the “the status quo is leading toward one state and perpetual occupation.’‘

Sooo what makes this different than anywhere else in the world. Way to go Theresa throw SB just prior to a S of S leaving office. You make brownie points for yourself at the expense of somebody packing his bags in the process of leaving Bravo a well placed kick in his political posterior. 

Edited December 31, 2016 by elgordo38

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Let's be clear here, it was a 'spokesman' remarking on what Kerry said about the Israeli gov being right wing, not about it being wrong for them to be building and certainly not from May herself.

Please!!! The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing??

[dexterm]

Any criticism of Kerry's speech condemning Israeli illegal expansion into the West Bank  is a bit rich coming from the PM or her spokesperson of the country that is responsible for the entire conflict.

 

Love the UK and Brits, but it has a terrible colonial history in its help towards the establishment of the Zionist state of Israel.

 

Edited December 31, 2016 by dexterm

[bumpkin]

8 hours ago, Yann55 said:

Quote : Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.

 

So :

 

1/ she doesn't have the guts to acknowledge that Britain is the US's little dog on a leash, and has been ever since the days of Margaret T.

2/ she hires a spokesperson who speaks only for him/herself ? It's either cynicism or amateurism, and both stink.

That is the way most governments operate. Spokespeople do most of the speaking.

Kerry hired a Spokesman for the US government to make the response.   

[dunroaming]

I was pleased when May became Prime Minister because I thought Britain needed someone to steady the ship.  I was wrong, big time!  She has been  completely spineless and trying cover all her bets.  She encapsulates 2016, another nail in the coffin

 

 

 

[FitnessHealthTravel]

None of this matters anyway. Things will all change very soon.

[spiritrace]

Everyone should be offended. Half the speech were lies.....

[onthesoi]

nameless spokesman? ...lolz Jewish surname I'm guessing!

 

The vast majority of people in the UK welcome the long overdue action of the UN.

Edited December 31, 2016 by onthesoi

[Morch]

The OP is another display of shoddy reporting.

 

The criticism was conveyed by an emailed statement. I seriously doubt it was issued by a "member of May’s staff" acting on his initiative. Said statement was also not limited to the word "inappropriate", that's about as out of context as it gets.

 

The statement re-affirmed the UK support for the recent UNSC resolution and it's long-held stance that the Israeli settlements are both illegal and constitute an obstacle to peace. May repeated this stance even a few days before the UNSC vote, in a speech which was, incidentally, rather pro-Israel.

 

The criticism was leveled at on Kerry's speech dealt mainly with two issues. The first was the speech's focus on the Israeli illegal settlement effort,  whereas the conflict is more complex and multifaceted than that. The second was to do with comments made about the political composition of a democratically elected government.

 

I don't know that these are convincing points, but they are not quite the out of context one-worded "inappropriate" reported and responded to on this topic.

 

Having read quite a few reports on this, didn't actually run into something indicating that "Theresa May has since distanced herself from her spokesperson’s remarks.". Wouldn't be surprised if she did, but would appreciate a link if someone can provide one.

 

IMO, it's more about positioning and posturing in preparation for Trump's term in office, than anything related to the content of Kerry's speech.