RJC: Obama Must Address Kerry “Apartheid” Comment

Inflammatory Language Casts Doubt on Secretary’s Judgment

Washington, D.C.  -- 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.