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Ya'alon jab spurs White House support for Kerry peace effort

An off-the-record comment by Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon rallied a statement of support from the White House for US Secretary of State John Kerry's peace efforts.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (3rd L) and Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon (2nd L) speak during the swearing-in ceremony, at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem March 18, 2013. Netanyahu's new governing coalition took office after a parliamentary vote on Monday with powerful roles reserved for supporters of settlers in occupied territory. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3F5XR
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon speak during a swearing-in ceremony at the Knesset in Jerusalem, March 18, 2013.

Since US Secretary of State John Kerry began his pursuit of an agreement between Israel and the PLO last year, one central question has been hovering over his effort and retarding its effectiveness — how committed is US President Barack Obama to Kerry's effort to make peace?

Recent injudicious comments by Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon, certainly without intending it, pushed the White House into its most spirited public defense yet of Kerry’s effort — a move that is sure to gladden the hearts of those who are seeking proof of Obama’s support and to depress Kerry’s opponents in equal measure.

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