Sen. Ted Cruz is demanding the resignation of Secretary of State John Kerry over remarks he made that Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state.”
“‘Apartheid’ is inextricably associated with one of the worst examples of state-sponsored discrimination in history: the apartheid system in South Africa that was ultimately brought down by the heroic resistance of Nelson Mandela inside the country supported by a concerted campaign of diplomatic and economic sanctions by the international community,” Cruz said in a speech on the Senate floor.
“The notion that Israel would go down that path, and so face the same condemnation that faced South Africa, is unconscionable,” Cruz added.
“The fact that Sec. Kerry sees nothing wrong with making a statement comparing Israel’s policy to the abhorrent apartheid policies of South Africa, and doing so on the eve of Holocaust remembrance day, demonstrates a shocking lack of sensitivity to the incendiary and damaging nature of his rhetoric. Mr. President, sadly, it is my belief that Sec. Kerry has proven himself unsuitable for the position he holds, and therefore, before any further harm is done to our national security interests and to our critical alliance with the nation of Israel, that John Kerry should offer President Obama his resignation,” Cruz said.
Cruz was one of three senators to vote against Kerry’s confirmation last year.