Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and some of his senior ministers criticize those who are threatening a boycott over Israel's Palestinian policies. Earlier, Secretary of State John Kerry warned Israel that unless his Middle East Peace effort succeed, the threat of increased boycotts are inevitable. In an effort to calm tensions the State Department issued a statement stating, “all parties have to accurately portray his record and statements.” Pleading with the Israeli critics the State Department ensured that Kerry has always opposed calls for boycotts. This all coming to a head as the Obama administration is finishing their present "framework" accord. In response Netanyahu states that, "attempts to impose a boycott on the State of Israel are immoral and unjust”. Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, Yuval Steinitz, was more direct and forceful saying that Israel will not negotiate with a gun to its head. Although Kerry has never publicly advocated for boycotts, he has not been shy about commenting on the destabilization nature of the Palestinian conflict and a need for a workable solution. Israel likewise has not been shy about commenting on the American security plan for Israel. Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, was forced to apologize last month after his review was published in an Israeli newspaper. Israel is also at heads with the Obama administrations Iranian nuclear peace talks. As tensions with Israel increase practical foreign policy is necessary to disseminate already increasing tensions between these two allied states.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/world/middleeast/netanyahu-criticizes-kerry-over-boycott-remarks.html?hp&_r=0
Katelyn Krumreich
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