Kerry criticized for Israel 'apartheid' comment
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in Congress and pro-Israel groups criticized Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday for reportedly saying Israel could become an apartheid state if it doesn't reach a peace deal with the Palestinians.
The Daily Beast said Kerry was speaking privately to European, Russian and Japanese officials when he made the comment and said it had a recording. It's a warning Israel's former Prime Minister Ehud Barak previously has made.
House Republican leader Eric Cantor said Kerry should apologize, while the American Israel Public Affairs Committee described his use of the term as offensive. Another pro-Israel lobby said Kerry should resign, a call echoed by Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in a speech on the Senate floor. Cruz may be a presidential contender in 2016.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry sees Israel as a vibrant democracy, not an apartheid state.
Kerry's effort to secure an Israeli-Palestinian peace framework has crumbled recently amid Israeli settlement construction and reconciliation between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' government and the Islamic militant group Hamas.
