Secretary of State John Kerry ratcheted tensions with Israel a bit, suggesting that certain concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu verbalized about Iran were off base and nonsensical.
Mr. Kerry made the remarks in response to a blast Mr. Netanyahu issued regarding America’s looming nuclear agreement with Iran — a deal the prime minister characterized as an outright concession to Tehran.
“It appears that they have given up on that commitment and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, will develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons,” Mr. Netanyahu said in Israel, The Associated Press reported. “They might accept this, but I am not willing to accept this.”
Mr. Netanyahu then said that he respected the White House and President Obama — but that the emerging deal was bad news for Israel.
“In such a fateful matter that can determine if we exist or not, it is my duty to do everything to prevent this great danger to these state of Israel,” he said, AP reported.
Mr. Kerry waved away those concerns during a Capitol Hill hearing.
“[Netanyahu] may have a judgment that just may not be correct here,” Mr. Kerry said, AP reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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