U.K. Critiques Kerry's Anti-Israel Speech

In a typical British, tepid kind of way.

12.30.2016

The British government is not particularly known for its affinity for Israel, but new conservative Prime Minister Theresa May might warm relations with the Jewish State, at least somewhat.

While not a resounding defense, Britain offered its version of a "rebuke" to Sec. Kerry Thursday, saying that Israeli settlements are hardly the obstacle to peace in the region. Sadly, May's spokesperson had to follow that up with the unnecessary and untrue statement that Britain considers settlements "illegal."

"But we are also clear that the settlements are far from the only problem in this conflict," the spokesperson added.

"In particular, the people of Israel deserve to live free from the threat of terrorism, with which they have had to cope for too long." AFP adds:

The comments from Downing Street come a day after Kerry issued a stern warning to Israel in which he said building settlements threatens the country’s future as a democracy.

Kerry accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of allowing Israel to slide towards a “perpetual occupation.”

Without referring to the secretary of state’s comments, the British government’s comments appeared to criticise Kerry’s speech.

“We do not, therefore, believe that the way to negotiate peace is by focusing on only one issue, in this case the construction of settlements, when clearly the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians is so deeply complex,” May’s spokesperson said.

“And we do not believe that it is appropriate to attack the composition of the democratically-elected government of an ally. The government believes that negotiations will only succeed when they are conducted between the two parties, supported by the international community,” they added.

According to Reuters, openly criticizing Kerry might have been a calculated move by May to endear herself and "British policy closer to Trump than its other European allies such as Germany and France."

Trump after all has been a vocal supporter of Israel and has vowed new, bolder pro-Israel policies after he is sworn in on January 20.

"We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect," Trump stated on Twitter. "They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but not anymore ... series of tweets. "Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!"