Secretary of State John Kerry gave a “major speech” Wednesday on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which he defended the Obama Administration’s decision to allow the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activity, and warned that Israel’s democracy was at stake.
Kerry’s speech was preceded by one of President-elect Donald Trump’s signature Twitter tirades blasting the Obama administration’s “total disdain and disrespect” toward Israel.
We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but…….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
not anymore. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)! Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2016
Observers on both sides of the aisle panned Kerry’s speech on social media. Conservatives were particularly upset about his harsh (and dishonest) rhetoric towards Israel.
Kerry a step away from saying Israel razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) December 28, 2016
John Kerry is stumbling through a rambling, uncomfortable speech designed only to further damage America’s valuable relationship with Israel
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) December 28, 2016
The lies are coming so fast during this Kerry speech that it's almost impossible to livetweet it.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 28, 2016
John Kerry certainly thinks his speech is evenhanded. But only takeaway today will be he kicked an ally and gave comfort to Israel haters
— Jamie Weinstein (@Jamie_Weinstein) December 28, 2016
This John Kerry speech is chock full of false equivalence and legions of strawmen
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) December 28, 2016
Even Kerry supporters who liked the speech were left wondering: What’s the point?
John Kerry delivering a masterfully crisp concise speech, but eight years too late. That encapsulates Obama's administration's failure
— Jack Mendel (@Mendelpol) December 28, 2016
John Kerry is right, and his speech is powerful. But, regrettably, it's also utterly irrelevant.
— David Byers (@davidbyers26) December 28, 2016
Seriously, though, what was the point?
Kerry giving a speech on Middle East policy is like the Jets naming a starting quarterback for the playoffs.
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) December 27, 2016
Full response to Kerry pic.twitter.com/FCeGKkB8z6
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 28, 2016
The speech also served as a reminder that John Kerry is one weird looking dude.
I really admire John Kerry for never giving up on the shaggy 60s haircut. Takes some guts.
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) December 28, 2016
The great wonder is that an Easter Island head has the capacity of speech.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 28, 2016
Kerry does not seem phased by the criticism, however, or the fact that he’s only going to be the secretary of state for about three more weeks. He plans to go “full-f***ing throttle” until his last day, whatever that means.
Aide tells me @johnkerry will be "full-f***ing throttle" until January 20. My profile @CNNPolitics https://t.co/IVufOocLp6
— Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) December 28, 2016
Full. F***ing. Throttle.
TAKE THE QUIZ
