Israel DM Ya'alon clarifies his comments on US (updated)
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon has called US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and clarified his earlier statement where he described the US as weak; Hagel responded by expressing concern over his remarks.
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."
Hagel "expressed deep concern about the minister's comments on US policy towards Iran," Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a readout of the call Thursday. "Minister Ya'alon clarified his remarks by underscoring his commitment to the strength of the US-Israel relationship."
The State Department had publicly--and unusually forcefully—denounced Ya’alon’s remarks and demanded an apology.
