Kerry's Kerfuffle 

As we reported yesterday, while Israelis were in the midst of somber observances for Holocaust Remembrance Day, news broke that Secretary of State John Kerry had said that Israel was at risk of becoming an "apartheid state" unless it acquiesced to the creation of a Palestinian state. 

That was is an incredibly offensive comment given the historical background of the modern state of Israel. The modern Jewish state emerged in 1948 out of the ashes of the Holocaust -- the horrific consequences of Adolf Hitler's "apartheid state" in Nazi Germany. 

For America's chief diplomat, whose every word is parsed for meaning, to suggest that the administration fears Israel is heading down the path of apartheid South Africa is beyond obscene. 

If Kerry is so concerned about the creation of apartheid states in the Middle East, he should direct his comments to Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Al Qaeda. A future Palestinian state is virtually guaranteed to be an "apartheid state," meaning "Jew free." 

Leading pro-Israel groups from the right and left blasted Kerry. Abraham Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League, said Kerry's apartheid comment was "startling and deeply disappointing." The American Israel Public Affairs Committee said, "Any suggestion that Israel is, or is at risk of becoming, an apartheid state is offensive and inappropriate." 

The Emergency Committee for Israel, led by my friend Bill Kristol, issued a statement saying in part, "It is no longer enough for the White House to clean up after the messes John Kerry has made. It is time for John Kerry to step down as Secretary of State, or for President Obama to fire him."  On Capitol Hill the condemnation of Kerry's comment was immediate and bi-partisan. California Senator Barbara Boxer (D) called the remark "nonsensical and ridiculous." Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) tweeted, "Inflammatory rhetoric comparing Israel's democracy to repugnant apartheid policy is irresponsible, inaccurate and counterproductive." 

Alaska Senator Mark Begich (D) said, "…it's not productive to express his frustration in this way…" Referring to the recent "unity agreement" between Fatah and Hamas, Begich added, "Last time I checked, the U.S. didn't negotiate with terrorist organizations and we shouldn't expect the Israeli government to either." 

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said, "Reports that Secretary Kerry has suggested Israel is becoming an apartheid state are extremely disappointing. ... I hope that President Obama will … call on Secretary Kerry to apologize to the Israeli government and people." 

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) demanded Kerry's resignation. In a speech on the Senate floor, Cruz said, "Secretary Kerry has thus proven himself unsuitable for his position and that before any further harm is done to our alliance with Israel, he should offer President Obama his resignation and the president should accept it." 

From the State Department, Kerry issued a press release doubling down on a two-state solution and pushing back against his critics. Kerry said:
 

"I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes… I have been around long enough to also know the power of words to create a misimpression, even when unintentional, and if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word…"

Unfortunately, you cannot "rewind the tape," and this is not the first time that Kerry's remarks have undermined the U.S./Israeli alliance. Senator Cruz is right -- Kerry is unsuitable for his position and should step down before he does any more damage. 

Poll Finds Growing Discontent 

If John Kerry had not created enough indigestion at the White House, today's ABC News/Washington Post poll will surely have them reaching for the Maalox. Here are some highlights of the results: 
 

• Obama's approval rating has fallen five points in the past three months. Forty-one percent of registered voters approve of President Obama's job performance, a new low for the ABC/Post poll, while 55% disapprove. 
   
• In spite of claims about high enrollment, the American people are less than impressed with Obamacare -- 59% of registered voters disapprove of the president's implementation of the Affordable Care Act, while only 36% of voters approve. 
   
• And 69% of voters feel the country is on the wrong track, while just 28% say it is on the right track. 

  Of course, the state of the economy is a big part of that negative sentiment. But I also think that figure reflects a deep concern about America's growing virtue deficit.

  From the senseless shootings in Chicago to the burning of aborted babies for electricity in Oregon, from unelected judges redefining marriage and the continued breakdown of the family, Americans know we are on the wrong track. Not all that ails our nation is economic in nature. Values matter too. 

  Please stand with me now as we fight for faith, family and freedom!