US Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer said today that his statements regarding Israel\'s allocations to Yesha communities and the disabled, respectively, were \"taken out of context.\" He met today with Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union), and the latter apologized to Kurtzer for calling him a \"Jewboy\" from the Knesset podium earlier this week. Hendel said that his choice of words was improper, but that his objections to Kurtzer\'s \"recommendation\" that Israel spend its money on the disabled and not on the residents of Yesha still stand.
Kurtzer, who said he accepted the apology, gave Rabbi Lau a copy of his original speech as evidence that he had not been quoted accurately. Hendel said beforehand, \"I intend to express my sincere apologies for using that specific word. I will also speak with the Ambassador about the diplomatic issues that motivated my remarks in the first place.\" Hendel explained that Kurtzer\'s remarks represented blatant interference in Israel’s domestic affairs. He said that he agreed to this morning\'s meeting in deference to Rabbi Lau, \"the Chief Rabbi of the sovereign State of Israel, and a Holocaust survivor,\" who arranged it.
Kurtzer, who said he accepted the apology, gave Rabbi Lau a copy of his original speech as evidence that he had not been quoted accurately. Hendel said beforehand, \"I intend to express my sincere apologies for using that specific word. I will also speak with the Ambassador about the diplomatic issues that motivated my remarks in the first place.\" Hendel explained that Kurtzer\'s remarks represented blatant interference in Israel’s domestic affairs. He said that he agreed to this morning\'s meeting in deference to Rabbi Lau, \"the Chief Rabbi of the sovereign State of Israel, and a Holocaust survivor,\" who arranged it.