John Kerry: A Staunch Supporter Of Israel But A Harsh Critic Of Its Policies

[Purveyor]

Kerry’s appointment as Secretary of State is unlikely to encounter meaningful opposition among pro-Israeli Jewish groups, who are saving their ammunition for Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

By Chemi Shalev | Dec.22, 2012 | 12:42 AM

Democrat John Kerry was to George Bush in the 2004 presidential elections what Barack Obama was to Mitt Romney in 2012: the candidate who garnered an overwhelming majority of Jewish votes because of his liberal domestic agenda and despite perceptions that his rival was better for the Jewish state.

By any traditional measure, of course, Kerry is a staunch supporter of Israel. He has an exemplary voting record in the Senate on Israel related issues, is a strong advocate of Israel’s right to defend itself, has repeatedly stood up against global anti-Semitism and believes in a muscular American posture against Iran’s nuclear designs.

But by the increasingly narrow standards of the term “pro-Israel” set by the rigid right wing in both Israel and the U.S., Kerry is definitely problematic. He is a harsh critic of settlements, has lambasted the blockade on Gaza and he believes in a two-state solution based on modified 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem - according to a 2010 WikiLeaks diplomatic cable - as its capital.

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http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/john-kerry-a-staunch-supporter-of-israel-but-a-harsh-critic-of-its-policies.premium-1.489215

[TwilightGardener]

1. So are they going to start threatening his nomination too?

[Purveyor]

2. Well, he probably has a few 'rings to kiss' but I doubt it. Hagel is in 'their' crosshairs, all the

more reason for the President to go ahead with the Hagal nomination.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Seems strange that the GOP is OK with Kerry but not with

Hagel in terms of Israel, even though there's probably little to no difference in their views. Especially considering that Kerry will have more direct impact on ME and Israeli matters than Hagel. Unless you look at it from their standpoint: what do they get from a Kerry nomination? They get a shot at a Senate seat. They don't mind being flagrant hypocrites when it suits them.

[Purveyor]

4. Indeed the Senate seat could be a prize for them. Will have to start 'scoring' that one. Never

thought of it that way. Will have to start scoring 'that' one.