Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon is in hot water again with the United States for caustic criticism of his country’s main ally that has put more strain on already testy relations with the Obama administration.
And the hawkish former general, widely popular in Israel for being an apparent straight-shooter who does not shy from speaking bluntly on issues of war and peace, seems reluctant to beat a full retreat from his tough words towards Washington.
Issuing statements voicing regret at any offence he might have caused, Yaalon has not backed away from the substance of a scathing personal attack in January on US Secretary of State John Kerry.
In further criticism on Monday, Yaalon displayed deep disappointment with US President Barack Obama’s handling of burning world issues, and he has not retracted his accusation that the world’s strongest superpower is projecting weakness abroad.
“Bogie does not take well to being corrected,” an ex-adviser, using Yaalon’s nickname, told Reuters. Asked what Yaalon might be up to by criticising the United States, he said: “God knows. I hope he does.”
In a show of US displeasure, Kerry – derided by Yaalon in January as “messianic” and “obsessive” in his pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian peace – phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday to complain about one of the strongest attacks ever by an Israeli defence minister on a top US official.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, who has good ties with Yaalon, followed up by phoning the minister directly to express “deep concerns” about his comments on US policy towards Iran, the Pentagon said.
Yaalon, in turn, underscored his commitment to bilateral ties, it said.
Netanyahu, whose own relationship with Obama has been fraught with friction over how to deal with Iran’s nuclear programme and peace efforts with the Palestinians, has shown little inclination, at least publicly, to rein in Yaalon.
An Israeli official said the 63-year-old Yaalon, who was appointed to his post a year ago, was displaying his inexperience at top-flight government.
“This is his first time in the major leagues and he has now screwed up twice,” the official said of Yaalon, a member of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and, according to recent opinion polls, the most popular minister in his Cabinet.