Fox News tried to use open mic comments they recorded this morning while Sec. of State John Kerry was speaking to an aide off camera, and promptly fell flat on their face.
Video:
http://youtu.be/HZ0fQmpwpPk
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Fox News played video of Kerry talking to a top aide in between interviews where he discussed the killing of 14 Israelis in an operation, and Israel’s ground operation. Sec. of State Kerry said, “It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation — hell of a pinpoint operation. We’ve got to get over there…We ought to go tonight. I think it’s crazy to be sitting around.”
Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace responded with the most Fox Newsy question ever, “”When you said, ‘it’s a hell of a pinpoint operation,’ are you upset that the Israelis are going too far? And in fact do you intend to go back to the Middle East tonight?”
The Secretary of State answered, “I think it’s very very difficult in these situations, obviously Chris. You have people who come out of tunnels. You have a right to go in and take out those tunnels. We completely support that, and we support Israel’s right to defend itself against rockets that are you know, continuing to come in. Hamas has started this process of rocketing after Israel was trying to find the people who killing three young, and one American kid, three young Israeli citizens. It’s disgraceful, so yeah, it’s tough. It’s tough to have this operation, and I reacted obviously in a way that anybody does with respect to young children and civilians, but war is tough. I said that publicly, and I’ll say it again. We defend Israel’s right to do what it is doing to get at those tunnels.”
Kerry pointed out that Israel has accepted the US supported Egypt plan and cease-fire, but Hamas hasn’t. He called on Hamas to accept the ceasefire and save lives, and then the two sides can discuss the underlying issues.
The right-wing media is spinning this as Kerry mocking Israel’s operation, but that is an accusation with no proof behind it because it is unclear what the aide is speaking to Kerry about and the context of the conversation. Anyone who suggests that Kerry is sarcastically mocking Israel is attaching their own biases to the video, but Sec. Kerry’s disgust was obvious.
There is no doubt that Sec. Kerry is frustrated with the escalation of the ground war in Israel, and the facts are that Israel’s limited pinpoint operation has been neither limited nor pinpoint, but the Fox News and the right are trying to feed their oldie, but goodie allegation that Obama hates Israel.
Even if Kerry was sarcastic, where is it written that a Sec. of State can’t express frustration and disgust over the loss of civilian life?
Fox News tried to turn Kerry’s comments into an attack on Israel, and they fell flat on their face. Being frustrated over the loss of human life is not an attack on Israel. Sec. Kerry’s comments have been echoed for decades by administration officials in both parties who have been frustrated by the endless cycle of violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
The right is desperately trying to spin this, but the reality is that Fox News completely failed with Kerry’s comments. Instead of working together and looking for solutions, Republicans are again wasting the nation’s time playing politics.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
