Kerry's Blunt Words for Israel Denounced by Lawmakers in Both Parties

"Secretary of State John Kerry's rebuke of the Israeli government on Wednesday set off a wave of criticism from lawmakers in both parties. Republicans denounced what they said was the Obama administration's harsh treatment of a steadfast ally and Democrats signaled that they were uneasy with Mr. Kerry's pressure on Israel...

A bipartisan chorus of lawmakers, upset with President Obama's decision last week to allow the passage of a United Nations resolution condemning Israel's construction of settlements in disputed territory, made clear that they were looking past the departing administration...

'Secretary Kerry's speech today was at best a pointless tirade in the waning days of an outgoing administration,' said Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona. 'At worst, it was another dangerous outburst that will further Israel's diplomatic isolation and embolden its enemies.'

Representative Eliot L. Engel of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called Mr. Kerry's speech 'gratuitous' and 'wrong.' 'There doesn't seem any purpose to this other than to embarrass Israel,' Mr. Engel said. 'It just pained me to watch it.'..."