Moshe Yaalon, Israel’s Defense Minister, apologized to the Obama administration for recent comments he made about U.S. policies, Reuters reports.
On Monday, Yaalon said Iran could not count on the U.S. to take action against Iran and that Israel must act on its own to protect itself. He also said Washington’s decisions about Ukraine “show weakness.”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after Yaalon’s comments to voice his displeasure. Yaalon reportedly spoke with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
“There was no opposition or criticism or intention to offend the United States or our relations in my remarks,” Yaalon told Hagel.
“The strategic ties between our countries have a supreme importance, as do our personal ties and mutual interests.”
This is the second time Yaalon has made overly critical comments about the U.S. this year. In January, Yaalon called John Kerry messianic and obsessive for his attempts to secure an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
