Cruz: Obama, Kerry ‘relentless enemies of Israel’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) accused President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry of being dedicated foes of Israel.

“It is a sign of their radicalism and refusal to defend American interests that Obama and Kerry choose to attack the only inclusive democracy in the Middle East – a strong, steadfast ally of America – while turning a blind eye to the Islamic terrorism that grows daily,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “These acts are shameful.”

“They are designed to create a legacy, and indeed they have: history will record and the world will fully understand Obama and Kerry as relentless enemies of Israel,” the former GOP presidential candidate said. “Their actions were designed to weaken and marginalize Israel, and to embolden its enemies.”

{mosads}Cruz said lawmakers from both sides of the aisle rejected Kerry’s speech early Wednesday criticizing Israel’s efforts to build settlements in occupied territories.

“I believe Obama and Kerry’s shameful conduct will backfire,” he said. “That it will be short-lived, and will inspire a bipartisan repudiation of their radical anti-Israel agenda.

“All Americans who understand the value of the U.S.-Israel alliance must immediately and unequivocally reject their false and dangerous narrative, and reassert our fundamental commitment to Israel’s security.”

Kerry panned the Israeli government’s settlement policy early Wednesday, describing it as an obstacle to lasting peace with the Palestinians.

“Friends need to tell each other the hard truths, and friendships require mutual respect,” he said at the State Department. “If the choice is one state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic. It cannot be both, and it won’t ever really be at peace.”

The U.S. notably abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution last week demanding an end to Israeli settlement-building in territories disputed by the Palestinians.

America could have vetoed the Dec. 23 measure but did not, ending a longstanding tradition of shielding Israel from U.N. reproaches.

President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unsuccessfully pressured the Obama administration to block the resolution before votes were cast.

The resolution’s passage has sparked renewed international debate over Israeli settlements, which critics argue complicate peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.