John Kerry at the World Economic Forum. Photo: Screenshot.

Times of Israel – Senior Israeli government figures continued to criticize U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s remarks on Sunday after the diplomat said the insistence on Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is a mistake, adding that the issue should not be a critical factor in whether the current round of Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations succeed or fail.

Speaking to Israel Radio, Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) said Kerry’s statements are part of a trend that has developed over the past 20 years, which has seen foreign governments that agree with the Israeli stance nevertheless finding it considerably easier to pressure Israel rather than the Palestinians. The time has come for Israel to stand up for its principles, Elkin said.

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