President Obama went to bat for his secretary of state on Friday, defending John Kerry from “unfair criticism” over the failed cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
“Let me take this opportunity, by the way, to give Secretary John Kerry credit. He has been persistent. He has worked very hard. He has endured on many occasions really unfair criticism simply to try to get to the point where the killing stops and the underlying issues about Israel’s security, but also the concerns of Palestinians in Gaza, can be addressed,” Obama said during an afternoon news conference.
Obama said his administration would “keep working towards that,” but acknowledged that it’s going to be “very hard to put a cease-fire back together again if Israelis and the international community can’t feel confident that Hamas can follow through on a cease-fire commitment.”
The most recent bid for a cease-fire crumbled on Friday following the capture of an Israeli soldier.
Kerry, meanwhile, has faced withering criticism not just from Republicans at home, but in Israeli media as well.
The entire press conference was good and informative - the Kerry part was just a small bit.
He called out the obstructionism of the GOP and even mentioned the flip flop of them suing him for acting on his own but just yesterday saying how he should act on his own.
Obama was also asked about the US not being a big force around the world anymore (and him not being effective) but he swatted that down by reminding the journalist that the conflict in the Middle East has been even longer than he’s been a reporter. That got a few chuckles.
He also addressed how the House Repubs seem to not be able to compromise with House Republicans, citing the disasterous non-vote yesterday.
And yes he made a point of defending SoS Kerry and the criticism he’s had to endure despite working hard to get the two sides to work together.
He was calm and gave good answers. I was impressed.
I’m glad to see him fighting back again. He needs to do it more often
Stupid John Kerry! That guy can’t even get the Israelis and Palestinians to make peace!
What the hell, John?
Worst. Secretary of State. Evahhhh!