Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon called US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Wednesday to clarify his remarks that described the US administration as projecting weakness and saying Israel should take matters into its own hands on Iran.
"My statements had no criticism or intent to hurt the US or the relationship with it," Ya’alon told Hagel in the Wednesday night call, Israeli media reported on Twitter late Wednesday. "The strategic ties between Israel and the United States are of high importance, as are personal ties and mutual interests."