Kerry Dismisses ‘Personal Attacks’ over His Push for Gaza Ceasefire

Josh FeldmanJul 29th, 2014, 12:22 pm

Secretary of State John Kerry has been getting some flak over a Gaza ceasefire deal he proposed that wasn’t just rejected by Israel, they called Kerry’s proposal a “strategic terrorist attack.” Kerry responded in a press conference with the Ukrainian foreign minister today. The former U.S. senator touted his legislative record as an unquestioningly pro-Israel one and almost took offense at the idea of anybody questioning his commitment to the state of Israel.

Kerry insisted the United States backed the Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire “entirely without preconditions” and said in an aside that “there’s a little bit of energy being expended here unnecessarily.”

He continued on to say, “I’m not gonna worry about personal attacks.” Kerry emphasized how much they’re fighting for a peaceful resolution while making sure they don’t diminish Israel’s right to defend itself.

And as for the attacks against him, Kerry was very blunt.

“I’ve spent 29 years in the United States Senate and had a 100 percent voting record pro-Israel. And I will not take a second seat to anybody in my friendship or my devotion to the protection of the state of Israel.”

Watch part of Kerry’s comments below, via BBC:

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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