Itongadol.- Obama administration reacts to defense minister’s criticism of U.S. \’weakness\’, reported in Haaretz, with unprecedented personal rebuke that \’questions his commitment\’ to bilateral ties and U.S. security assistance.
The Obama administration launched a blistering personal attack on Defense Minister Moshe Ya\’alon on Tuesday, accusing him of “undermining” the security ties between Israel and the United States. “We were shocked by Moshe Ya\’alon’s comments, which seriously call into question his commitment to Israel’s relationship with the United States,” a senior administration official said.
The official’s sharp reaction, which appeared to be carefully worded, came in response to harsh criticism leveled by Ya\’alon at the Obama administration in an address at Tel Aviv University, reported in Haaretz on Tuesday. Ya\’alon said the United States “shows weakness” in various arenas around the world – including Ukraine – and that its allies in the Middle East are disappointed. Ya\’alon said that because it is “sitting at home," America is opening itself up to terror attacks “and the United States will suffer.”
Ya\’alon’s remarks sparked anger throughout official Washington, including the State Department and the White House. The irritation was compounded because of the previous incident in January, in which Ya\’alon accused U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry of “messianic obsession” regarding the peace process. The frustration led to the publication – albeit on condition of anonymity – of one of the most harshly worded personal condemnations in the history of relations between the two countries.
“We were shocked by Moshe Ya\’alon’s comments, which seriously call into question his commitment to Israel’s relationship with the United States,” the official said. “Moreover, this is part of a disturbing pattern in which the defense minister disparages the U.S. administration, and insults its most senior officials. Given the unprecedented commitment that this administration has made to Israel’s security, we are mystified why the defense minister seems intent on undermining the relationship.”
A senior figure in the Jewish establishment, when apprised of the wording of the official’s statement, said last night that he could not recall such a “bitter outburst” against an Israeli minister in recent years. He said that statement was tantamount to “a vote of no confidence” in Ya\’alon, and that the tension between the administration and the defense minister was bound to have an effect on ties between the two countries, “if not directly then indirectly.”