Labor party head, MK Yitzhak Herzog, voiced indignation Tuesday with Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's harsh criticism of US Secretary of State John Kerry, as reported by Yediot Aharonot.
"The insulting and hurtful diatribe by the defense minister against Secretary Kerry exposes the true face of the Likud,” said Herzog. “This is not a security matter, because that is something that can be discussed, but a well-ordered ideology that does not believe in any kind of solution or separations from the Palestinians.”
Minister Yaalon is paving the way to a binational state, Herzog added. “This is the end of the Zionist vision and of a democratic state with safe borders.”
He called on ministers Tzipi Livni (who heads Hatnua) and Yair Lapid (who heads Yesh Atid) to leave the government and join a left-wing bloc that will offer an alternative to the Netanyahu government.
"Tzipi Livni and Yair Lapid can keep on declaiming messages about peace,” he continued. “Like me, they believe that the ground is ripe for an arrangement, but it is obvious that they have no partners in the government, which has no vision of peace.”
"They must immediately turn to the prime minister and ask him where he is headed,” he demanded, “and if he refuses to move forward with the process, they must leave the government and join forces with us so that we can provide an alternative for the nation of Israel in a new coalition.”
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said in response to the Yaalon quotes “relations with the US are our greatest strategic asset and are vital for Israel's security. American Secretary of State Kerry is working to end the conflict between us and the Palestinians out of a dep understanding that this is an Israeli interest, and tout of a commitment to Israel's future.”
"The negotiations are conducted so that Israel's interests, and its security first and foremost, are safeguarded. One can object to the negotiations and speak to the point in a responsible manner without hurling wild accusations and destroying relations with our best friend.”