Donald Trump Slams Obama Israel Policies Ahead of John Kerry,s Speech
Donald Trump Slams Obama Israel Policies Ahead of John Kerry,s Speech:-President-elect Donald Trump bashed the Obama administration’s relationship with Israel, accusing the outgoing president of turning his back on a longtime ally and promising better relations on his watch.
“We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect. They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but not anymore,” he tweeted ahead of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech Wednesday in response to last week’s United Nations Security Council vote criticizing expansion of settlements into the West Bank.
[READ: Israel Accuses Obama of Anti-Israeli ‘Shameful Move’ at U.N.]
Trump has continued to break with U.S. tradition by weighing in on international affairs before formally taking office, calling Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to ask ask him to pull back an earlier version of the settlement resolution and urging President Barack Obama to veto the resolution that ultimately came before the UN council.
The U.S. abstained, marking the first time during Obama’s tenure the U.S. has allowed a resolution critical of Israel to pass, though the decision was in line with the actions of previous administrations.
Trump has long been critical of President Barack Obama’s tense relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)!” Trump said on Twitter. “Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!”
Netanyahu replied with his gratitude.
President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel!” he tweeted.
Later on Wednesday, Kerry fiercely defended the Obama administration’s vote and its broader Israel policy, saying it had been “Israel’s greatest friend and supporter with an absolute unwavering commitment.
Kerry harshly criticized Netanyahu’s public support for a two-state solution while members of his coalition government openly supported the expansion of settlements as a means to a single state of Israel.
“The two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; it is the only way to ensure Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state, Kerry said. “That future is now in jeopardy, and why we could not in good conscience stand in the way of a resolution at the UN that makes it clear that both sides must stand together.
source:-http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2016-12-28/donald-trump-slams-obama-israel-policies-ahead-of-john-kerrys-speech
